UFC White House slammed as ‘clown show’ and ‘disservice’ to MMA by former world champion

Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson has given a scathing assessment of the UFC White House show.

Henderson, who makes his MMA return after over three years out at PFL Brussels this weekend, says the event is a ‘clown show’ and ‘disservice’ to MMA.

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UFC White House, officially billed as UFC Freedom 250, celebrates America’s 250th anniversary on June 14.

The UFC card is headlined by a lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, with Alex Pereira fighting Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight strap in the chief support act.

Asked about his old title being on the line in the main event, Henderson was brutally honest with his review.

Henderson: UFC White House makes me sad

“I think [Topuria and Gaethje] are gonna throw down and they’re gonna stand there and hit each other a whole lot,” Henderson said. 

“I definitely won’t be tuning in to watch that… I feel like my country —the White House is not supposed to be a spectacle. 

“And they’re turning it into a literal spectacle, a clown show, a circuit which is cool if you like circuses, clown shows and spectacles.

“There’s a reason why we go to these entertainment events, but they’re supposed to be at entertainment venues.

“I feel like the highest seats of our house, the White House for our country, is not supposed to be a spectacle, not supposed to be a clown show.

“But the Romans, they entertained their people with their arena and stuff. So I guess the US is following in Rome’s steps.”

Henderson hasn’t fought in MMA since losing to current PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in March 2023.

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He has since competed for Misfits Boxing, Karate Combat and Real American Freestyle.

As an American and former UFC champion, you would think Henderson’s beloved sport taking place at the White House would fill him with pride and joy.

But it’s quite the opposite.

“It kind of makes me sad,” the Colorado native explained.

“I’m happy to have been in the UFC and done my part to help further the sport of mixed martial arts, to help make it legitimate.

“The UFC flew me out to India. They flew me out to Mexico, they flew me out to a bunch of different places as a spokesperson, as an ambassador of mixed martial arts as a sport.

PFL Brussels on talkSPORT

Fans in the UK and Ireland can watch PFL Brussels for free this weekend on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube, Facebook and X channels.

The early card is set to start at 5.30pm BST (12.30pm ET) with the main card action scheduled for 8pm BST (3pm ET).

Benson Henderson and Patrick Habirora’s main event will take place after 10pm BST (5pm ET).

More details HERE

“So I did my part in helping spread the art form of traditional martial arts.

“But making it a spectacle, making it a show, making it a clown show, making it a circus on my country’s White House…

“I think it’s a disservice. It’s a disservice to the White House and it’s a disservice, actually, to mixed martial arts as well, I feel like.

“But again, everybody has an opinion and who cares. My opinion is worth the same as Joe Bloggs down the street. 

“It doesn’t matter. That’s just my personal opinion on the take. Good or bad, but you know, it is what it is.

“But I’m kind of sad that the UFC would go to the White House to smear the White House, so to speak, in that sense.

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“I’m super disappointed that the White House would turn the White House into a spectacle, into a clown show when it’s supposed to be our highest elected…

“You’re supposed to have a little bit of reverence for the place. That’s not the way it goes, but it’s above my pay grade.

“So I worry about me. I worry about beating up Patrick Habirora on Saturday, May 23.”

Fans in the UK and Ireland can watch Henderson’s return to MMA at PFL Brussels on Saturday night for free on talkSPORT Boxing’s social media channels.