The UFC can have one other recent addition to its company at its highly anticipated White House event. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that popular ESPN host Pat McAfee will probably be on the event to offer media coverage.
White and McAfee confirmed that the previous Indianapolis Colts punter gained verbal clearance to attend the event from President Donald Trump on the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. White recalled McAfee “shooting his shot” to cover the event, to which Trump agreed.
“We were up within the president’s box on the National Championship, and he says, ‘Mr. President, me and my team would love to cover the UFC White House event,’” White said Thursday on ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’ “And the president gave him the thumbs up and said yes.”
“The President gave you the thumbs as much as cover the UFC event on the White House” ~ @danawhite
YES HE DID #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/dGkxl0uDjS
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 22, 2026
McAfee further clarified that Trump also gave him the go-ahead to shoot an episode of ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ live from the White House during fight week. Although McAfee acknowledged that it was only a verbal agreement, he appears to already be planning to be in Washington, D.C., in July.
“I began talking concerning the White House fight, and I said, ‘Hey, we’d like to find a way to do a show from the White House for the fight,’” McAfee said. “[Donald Trump] goes, ‘Really?’ After which I’m going, ‘Good?’ After which he goes, ‘Yeah, yeah,’ and he shakes the hand. I hope any individual got that on there.”
“I’m gonna start making the White House card on Monday..
Let’s get it done” ~ @danawhite #PMSLive https://t.co/u8f8U9iO3i pic.twitter.com/FAeJoffrrZ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 22, 2026
McAfee is the primary media member to realize clearance to attend the event, which can reportedly allow only roughly 5,000 fans. The event is predicted to be held on the White House lawn, with specific details to be ironed out in the approaching months.
Dana White says UFC White House planning will begin soon
White went on to reiterate an announcement he made earlier within the week, confirming he’ll begin constructing the UFC White House fight card soon. He promised to have the event fully booked by February, when he plans to announce it.
The White House card has been a piece in progress for months, since White and Trump first began collaborating in late 2025. White has no shortage of fighters willing to compete within the historical event, with nearly every athlete on the roster calling for his or her placement on the cardboard.
As considered one of the busiest men in combat sports, White is currently focused on the upcoming launch of his boxing promotion, Zuffa Boxing. He hosts his first official event as a boxing promoter on Friday night before shifting his focus to the UFC White House.