Donald Trump Alerted as Islam Makhachev Eyes White House After UFC 322

Newly crowned welterweight champion Islam Makhachev puts Donald Trump on notice after beating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

Donald Trump Alerted as Islam Makhachev Eyes White House After UFC 322

Islam Makhachev wants to fight at UFC White House (via Bleacher Report, NBC News)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The 2026 White House event is expected to be one of the largest and most high-profile events on the UFC calendar. Its cultural and media significance draws attention far beyond the octagon. Fighters from across the roster are vying for a spot, hoping to gain prestige and exposure. Dagestani superstar Islam Makhachev recently made a direct appeal to US President Donald Trump to be included on the card.

Top fighters such as Francis Ngannou, Jon Jones, and Conor McGregor are reportedly targeting superfights on the event’s lineup. UFC CEO Dana White is planning a whole week of spectacles and promotional activities leading up to the main card. Official matchmaking will not begin until February 2026. The combination of build-up events and elite competitors is set to maximize engagement.

Makhachev recently secured the welterweight championship by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in New York. This victory elevated him to two-division champion status and tied him for the longest winning streak in UFC history. Following the win, he highlighted his interest in participating in the White House event during the in-ring interview with Joe Rogan when asked about his future plans.

DONALD TRUMP, OPEN THE WHITE HOUSE. I’M COMING!

Islam Makhachev via UFC 322 post fight interview

UFC 322 took place at Madison Square Garden, one of the UFC’s most iconic venues. Notably, this was the first major American event that the US President had missed in recent times. Makhachev was unable to present his case to Trump in person at the venue. Nonetheless, his victory provided a platform to showcase his accomplishments and reinforce his appeal.

His championship record includes victories over multiple top-ranked contenders such as Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier. Makhachev has demonstrated exceptional skill in both grappling and striking, making him a versatile and challenging opponent. His consistent success against elite fighters strengthens his credentials. These accomplishments make him a logical choice for a White House card.

The welterweight division remains highly competitive with multiple fighters capable of challenging Makhachev’s reign. UFC 322 acted as a mini-tournament, testing the division’s top athletes and setting the stage for future contenders. Upcoming bouts, such as Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Garry at UFC Qatar, will impact potential title challengers, as the winner may position themselves for a title opportunity.

UFC legend wants Islam Makhachev to fight on the White House card

Ilia Topuria has consistently sought a fight with Islam Makhachev and even moved up to the lightweight division in pursuit of it. By the time Topuria made the move, Makhachev had already shifted to welterweight to face Jack Della Maddalena. In the interim, Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the UFC lightweight belt vacated by Makhachev.

Demetrious Johnson on Islam Makhachev's career
Demetrious Johnson on Islam Makhachev’s career (via Fighters Only, SCMP)

After UFC 322, Topuria called out Makhachev, signaling interest in a future matchup. He emphasized the possibility of facing the champion across weight classes. Recently, UFC legend Demetrious Johnson also weighed in on Islam Makhachev’s career plans, including retirement and legacy considerations. These developments intensified speculation about a fight between Topuria and Makhachev.

Islam has plenty of money, right? Go out on your shield like Khabib did. A lot of people in MMA don’t want to see that, but in mixed martial arts, we athletes stay too long at the party. There’s no reason for an athlete to keep taking hits to the head and all that stuff. If I was him, fight Topuria at the White House. You beat Topuria, walk away. I’m sure you made another one. That pays as far as Russia, so there’s no point for him to keep on fighting.

Demetrious Johnson via X

‘El Matador’ has indicated he is willing to move up to welterweight to face Islam Makhachev. A matchup between the two would involve champions from consecutive weight classes and high stakes. Both fighters have momentum and accomplishments that could make the fight a defining moment. The potential bout remains one of the most anticipated matchups in the UFC landscape.

Also Read: