The UFC are setting the stage to have what Dana White believes will be the biggest and best card in the promotion’s history next June, as the company plans to run a “UFC White House” event.
The desires to be featured on the card are seemingly never-ending, with some of the most high profile names in the sport; from Conor McGregor, to Jon Jones and even current pound-for-pound #1, Ilia Topuria; desperate to fight and headline what will undoubtedly be a historic event for not just the organization, but for mixed martial arts as a sport in its totality.
With all the big names desperate to be atop the card, coming in with big pitches and outrageous demands, UFC Bantamweight Champion, Merab Dvalishvili, has gone with a slightly different approach.
Instead of trying to tell White and co. why he should be the main or co-main event next summer, he insists that he will do anything to fight at the once-in-a-lifetime showdown – and that includes being on the preliminary card.
Merab Dvalishvili Willing To Go Onto The Prelims To Fight At The White House
“I would love to fight [at the White House]… even if I’m the first fight on the prelims I will be happy.” Dvalishvili said, via Championship Rounds. “I have no problem with that because I know Ilia wants to fight there, McGregor wants to fight there, Jon Jones wants to fight there”
The 135 lb champion, who will be 35 years old at the time of the behemoth event next June, sent a vastly humble message to the matchmakers as he looks to be part of the unique experience.
Many champions are focused on making as much as they can whilst they have the belt, and maximizing pay and pay-per-view points on big cards. So it is refreshing to see someone like Merab who is just desperate to fight on the top card of the year, even if he knows that he is probably not the promotion’s top choice to headline it.
Could Merab End Up On The UFC White House Card?
He could well do, although even if it is the biggest card in UFC history, it still would be shocking if Hunter Campbell and co. put him on the prelims.
The Georgia-born champ, who became a naturalized US citizen in March 2024, will defend his bantamweight belt against Cory Sandhagen as the co-main event of UFC 320 on October 4th.
If he wins that, given how active he has been as a champion, he will most likely face another challenger in early 2026. A win there – which would make it four title defenses for the Caucasian – would nicely set up a fifth title defense at the White House.
As a champion, there is no chance that White and co. would make Merab anything less than the third-highest fight on the card. Even if he is not, there is still a good chance he could make it onto the main card.
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