Former UFC and WWE champion Ronda Rousey has definitively rejected speculation about her participation in the planned UFC White House event scheduled for June 2026. During a recent appearance on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey made her position clear regarding the historic card set to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
When asked directly about fighting at the White House event, Rousey stated, “I ain’t fighting at the f****** White House.” The 38-year-old former bantamweight champion emphasized her current priorities, indicating she has better things to do and noting that her child needs pasta.
The UFC White House event represents an unprecedented collaboration between the mixed martial arts organization and the Trump administration. President Donald Trump announced the event earlier this year, with plans for a full fight card featuring approximately 20,000 to 25,000 attendees on the White House grounds. The event will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and has been described by White House Communications Director Steven Cheung as potentially one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history.
Trump has maintained a long-standing relationship with the sport and UFC President Dana White, frequently attending mixed martial arts matches in recent months. According to The Wall Street Journal, the President is intimately involved in planning the event, with reports indicating that his daughter Ivanka is also assisting with preparations. White reportedly visited Trump at the White House last week to discuss specific details for the card.
Despite her firm rejection of the White House opportunity, Rousey left the door slightly open for a potential return to combat sports in other contexts. She referenced Mike Tyson’s recent high-profile bout against Jake Paul, suggesting that in the current landscape of combat sports, one should never say never regarding comebacks. However, she remained adamant that any potential return would not occur at the presidential venue.
Rousey’s combat sports career effectively ended in December 2016 following a devastating 48-second knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. This defeat came 13 months after her shocking upset loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November 2015, which ended her remarkable undefeated streak and reign as bantamweight champion. The back-to-back knockout losses marked the conclusion of her MMA career.
Following her departure from MMA, Rousey transitioned to professional wrestling with a successful five-year run in WWE. She holds the unique distinction of being the only woman in history to hold championship titles in both the UFC and WWE organizations. Her impact on women’s mixed martial arts remains significant, as she is widely regarded as the most influential fighter in the history of women’s MMA and one of the biggest stars the UFC has ever produced.
The UFC White House card has generated significant interest from active fighters seeking spots on the historic bill. Notable competitors including Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Michael Chandler, and Colby Covington have publicly expressed interest in participating in the unprecedented event. The card is expected to feature both male and female fighters according to preliminary reports.
Rousey made her UFC debut at UFC 157 in February 2013, successfully defending her bantamweight title against Liz Carmouche in the main event. The title had transferred from Strikeforce when the UFC purchased that organization. She went on to defend the championship successfully five more times before her defeat to Holm, establishing herself as a dominant force in women’s mixed martial arts.
The podcast appearance was part of Rousey’s promotional activities for her new graphic novel. During the interview, she did not clarify whether she had been formally approached by UFC officials about participating in the White House event, but her response left no ambiguity about her intentions regarding the historic card.
While the UFC continues planning for the June 2026 White House event with limited public details released, Rousey’s definitive rejection removes one of the sport’s most recognizable former champions from speculation about the card. Her focus remains on her current projects and family responsibilities rather than a return to competitive fighting.
