‘Count me in’: Conor McGregor, pros react to Donald Trump’s UFC White House announcement

Donald Trump and Conor McGregor | @TheNotoriousMMA, Twitter

Conor McGregor and Donald Trump could be teaming up in 2026.

President Trump announced Thursday at a rally in Iowa that he has plans to host a UFC fight for next year’s July 4 Independence Day celebration, which marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s Declaration of Independence.

No further details were given, but that didn’t stop social media from speculating on what such an event might entail. A few fighters also mentioned their interest in being part of the festivities, including UFC star Conor McGregor.

“I would be honored,” McGregor wrote on Twitter. “Count me in.”

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https://t.co/5vmrNWAB3W pic.twitter.com/FsfTOlPgV7

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 4, 2025

He loves it! https://t.co/1McEbm2aAc pic.twitter.com/NvmAEE41yO

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 4, 2025

McGregor also teased a long-awaited matchup with Michael Chandler.

The only place where disputes truly get settled.

The White House. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/VJ2bVu7MuV

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 4, 2025

Unsurprisingly, Chandler is agreeable to the idea. He and McGregor were opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 and were actually scheduled to fight at UFC 303 in June 2024, but McGregor withdrew from that bout with a broken toe.

“Anybody fancy a good old-fashioned, passionate red, white and blue ass whoopin on the lawn of The White House?” Chandler wrote in an Instagram Story post.

McGregor has visited The White House before. This past March, the former two-division UFC champion was a guest at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and even had the chance to speak to the media about his own political aspirations in Ireland. Prior to that visit, Trump had praised McGregor in a conversation with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

As with all things McGregor, it’s unclear how serious “The Notorious” is about being booked on the speculative card. He turns 38 next July and has not competed since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021, when he lost a trilogy bout to longtime rival Dustin Poirier. McGregor is also currently embroiled in two separate civil suits in which he is accused of sexual assault, with one suit having already concluded with him being found liable (his team attempted to appeal that verdict, but the evidence presented by McGregor’s team is now under investigation).

Despite his fading reputation, McGregor would undoubtedly bring star power to a White House event, should one actually occur. And he’s not the only fighter whose interest has been piqued.

Check out more reactions from social media below.

Just heard Trump is gonna have ufc fights at the White House and I’d love to KO someone on the grounds of America’s capital in the name of independence

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 4, 2025