Israel Adesanya is not a fan of this part of the UFC’s plan.

Israel Adesanya (Middleweight) MMA Profile - ESPN

While all eyes are currently on UFC 324, the first card of 2026 and of the promotion’s new era on Paramount, an event that promises to be the biggest of the new year looms down the line.

Since President Donald Trump announced UFC fights at the White House, fans have been wondering which champions and stars will be competing in Washington D.C.

Dana White plans to finalize the White House card by the end of February. When he sits down with the matchmakers to form the lineup, the likes of Jon Jones and Conor McGregor will no doubt be discussed having made their desire to fight on June 14 clear.

One man who has been less enticed by the occasion is Adesanya, and for one big reason…

Israel Adesanya would be more interested in a White House fight if fans were attending

Despite losing his last three fights, being far from the title picture at 185 pounds, and approaching the end of his career, Adesanya remains one of the top names in the UFC.

For that reason, the promotion could look to secure his services for the national celebration this summer. However, they may not be getting the same enthusiastic response from the former two-time middleweight champion as they will from other fighters.

Adesanya recently revealed that he would not turn down an offer to compete at the White House, but talk of the crowd being made up of global dignitaries and VIPs has dampened his potential excitement.

“I wouldn’t say no, but I hope there are some fans there — like actual MMA fans,” Adesanya said on The Ariel Helwani Show.

“I don’t really want to fight in front of a bunch of suits who don’t really care about MMA.

“I want fans to be able to go to the fight and watch the show as well. Yeah, I wouldn’t say no,” he added.

Israel Adesanya crouches against the cage before fighting Nassourdine Imavov

Top fighters could be ruled out of UFC White House by nationality ban

Adesanya may be needed by the UFC if talk of Russian fighters being prohibited from the event proves to be true.

Merab Dvalishvili revealed that apparent White House rule, announcing that his trilogy fight with Petr Yan can’t happen at the June 14 event because of it.

The decision would also rule two other UFC champions out of the running: middleweight king Khamzat Chimaev and welterweight titleholder Islam Makhachev.

With the promotion planning to load up on big names for an event Dana White is promising to be spectacular, ‘The Last Stylebender’ could be getting a call if he gets past Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle on March 28.