Ali Akbar Rosady
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has voiced significant reservations regarding the current proposals for the highly anticipated UFC White House event, specifically cautioning against an excessive number of championship bouts on the card. The event, tentatively scheduled for June 14, has been touted as a potentially historic occasion for combat sports, with initial discussions suggesting an unprecedented lineup of title fights.
The concept of a UFC event hosted at the White House gained traction following remarks by former President Donald Trump, who initially projected the possibility of "at least eight title fights." This ambitious vision was later echoed by UFC commentator Jon Anik, who suggested that "six or seven" undisputed title contests could be in the works for the event. Such a card would represent a drastic departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s standard event structure, which typically features one or, at most, two championship bouts headlining a pay-per-view.
During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast, co-hosted with fellow former champion Henry Cejudo, Usman elaborated on why he believes a card stacked with numerous five-round championship fights could be detrimental to the overall fan experience. "First and foremost, they’re saying that it won’t even be open to the public," Usman noted, highlighting an immediate asterisk on the event’s accessibility. He then directly challenged the premise of a multi-title card, stating, "Then they’re talking this six, seven title fights. First and foremost, pardon my French, but who the f*ck wants to watch seven title fights back to back? Five-round title fights back to back to back? What if four or five or six in a row are boring?"
Usman’s critique stems from an understanding of fighter psychology and the dynamics of championship contests. Champions, by nature, are often more strategic and risk-averse in their approach to title defenses. Their primary objective is to "retain" the coveted belt, which frequently translates into a more tactical, measured performance aimed at minimizing errors and exploiting opponents’ weaknesses over a grueling 25-minute period. This contrasts sharply with the "hungry fighter" mentality often seen in non-title contender bouts, where athletes are frequently willing to "risk their lives out there," throwing caution to the wind in pursuit of a finish or a highlight-reel performance that can elevate their standing.
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Historically, the UFC has rarely booked more than two title fights for any major event, a practice that Usman and Cejudo contend is well-founded. Over the years, some of the promotion’s most dominant champions, including Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, and Valentina Shevchenko, have occasionally drawn criticism from a segment of fans, particularly casual viewers, for delivering "forgettable" title defenses despite their undeniable and impressive achievements inside the Octagon. These criticisms, while not diminishing their legacies, underscore the distinction between effective championship strategy and pure entertainment value. A card saturated with multiple such strategic contests, particularly without a live public audience to generate atmosphere, could potentially lead to a diminished viewing experience.
Henry Cejudo echoed Usman’s sentiments, proposing an alternative card structure designed to maximize entertainment. In his opinion, the optimal approach would involve featuring a limited number of championship bouts—perhaps "two to three title fights, that’s it"—and supplementing them with standard three-round matchups that are almost "guaranteed to deliver from an action standpoint." Cejudo suggested filling the undercard with contests that have historically delivered, such as "Fight of the Nights" or "blood rematches." He offered a specific example: "Like, I wouldn’t mind seeing Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum. Fight of the Year, make those two dudes scrap."
Cejudo further emphasized that the selection of fighters for such a high-profile event should prioritize "the best performers" rather than solely focusing on champions. "People that are going to fight there, you’ve got to put the best performers there, but it doesn’t mean you’ve got to put the champions because the champions, they’re not the best entertainers, too," he argued. This perspective highlights the need for a balanced card that caters to diverse fan preferences, blending the prestige of championship contests with the raw excitement of contender clashes.
As of now, no official bouts have been announced for the proposed UFC White House event. However, marquee names within the sport, such as former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former two-division champion Conor McGregor, have publicly offered their services, indicating the high profile and perceived historical significance of the card among fighters.
Usman remains hopeful that the final lineup will prioritize compelling matchups over sheer quantity of title fights. He expressed a desire to see more "contender fights" featuring athletes who are willing to take significant risks. "When you’re the champion, your whole goal is to keep that. You want to be smart. You want to be tactical. You want to strategically retain your title," Usman explained. "Champions aren’t going out there to just go, ‘Yeah, we’re going to throw caution the wind and just swing for the fences like we’re in a bar fight.’ That’s not what champions do because that’s not what gets you to be a champion. You’ve got to be smarter than everybody else. So this whole notion of let’s put six title fights on there, I think that’s a bad idea and honestly, I might be asleep by Title Fight 3. I might be asleep."
Despite his concerns about the initial proposals, Usman conveyed confidence in UFC President Dana White’s ability to construct a compelling and entertaining event. Given White’s close relationship with former President Trump and the unique nature of the event, expectations are high for a meticulously planned card. "Dana White—and we’ve got to give props where props is due—Dana White knows how to put this together better than anyone," Usman affirmed. "He knows how to run a show and he’s going to understand that putting seven, eight title fights on one card is ridiculous. It’s stupid. Well, I don’t want to say stupid, but it’s ridiculous, because what if six of them are boring? And they all go five rounds? I’m walking out by the fourth one. Bro, I’m tired. I’ve got to go home. The kids need to get ready for school the next day."
Usman concluded by reiterating his belief that White will ultimately deliver a "fantastic show" for fans, suggesting a lineup that strategically balances the historical gravitas of the venue with the consistent action that has come to define the UFC’s global appeal. The debate over the card’s composition highlights the ongoing challenge for promoters to balance the prestige of championship fights with the imperative to deliver consistent entertainment to a diverse audience.
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