UFC White House card thrown into chaos over sanctioning dispute

The UFC White House card is at risk of being an unsanctioned event.

The one-of-a-kind show is set to take place on the South Lawn on June 14 to commemorate 250 years of American independence.

UFC

Ilia Topuria defends his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje atop a six-fight card, co-headlined by an interim heavyweight title clash between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.

However, the DC Combat Sports Commission, which oversees boxing, MMA and professional wrestling in the District of Columbia, has warned the UFC that the contests won’t count toward the combatants’ records unless MMA’s premier promotion pays a $100 permit fee.

According to a report from the Washington Post, the UFC has stated it does not need a permit as the event is being staged on ‘federal land’.

There has also been no communication with the DC Sports Commission regarding the card.

“We don’t know anything,” DC Combat Sports Commission chairman Andrew Huff told the Washington Post. 

“Every promoter in the District of Columbia should be, and is, held to the same standard, whether you’re putting on a small wrestling show or a major event. 

“I’m concerned about precedent. What happens when someone puts on a boxing match in Malcolm X Park?

“They don’t need to get us involved?”

The DC Combat Sports Commission is not the only body that has been left concerned by the ordeal.

New York State Athletic Commission chairman Nick Perry believes it “does not send the right message” to have the UFC regulating its own event.

Full UFC White House card

• MAIN EVENT: Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje – UFC Lightweight title
• CO-MAIN EVENT: Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane – interim UFC Heavyweight title
• Sean O’Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi – Bantamweight
• Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler – Lightweight
• Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus – Middleweight
• Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia – Featherweight

“Wherever the land is, I would suspect that local law would be applicable,” Perry said.

“Laws should apply across the board to everybody.

“Especially laws that govern things like boxing and games where there are certain standards that are expected to be maintained”.

The DC Combat Sports Commission requires fighters, managers, and promoters to obtain licenses before events are held in its territory.

To be granted a license and compete under the athletic commission’s jurisdiction, fighters must submit medical records, undergo physical examinations and attend a commission-sanctioned weigh-in.

Huff acknowledged that the UFC has its own medical staff, but voiced concerns over their impartiality given that they work for the organisation.

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The UFC has previously hosted two events in the US capital: the first in October 2011, when Dominik Cruz locked horns with Demetrious Johnson for the bantamweight title, and the other in December 2019, when Alistair Overeem squared off against Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

Both shows, which took place at the Capital One Arena, received the necessary permits.

talkSPORT.com has reached out to the UFC for comment.

There has been no response at the time of writing.