“Raw Dawg” doesn’t care about next year’s historic event.
You’ve probably noticed, nearly every Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter — American or not — has been clamoring to get on the highly anticipated
UFC White House card set for next summer. And it makes sense. UFC CEO Dana White has already promised the event will be the “biggest, baddest card of all time,” and since it’ll likely air on CBS, millions of viewers will be tuning in. That’s massive exposure for any fighter lucky enough to get a spot.
However, there’s one competitor who couldn’t care less about it: No. 3-ranked Flyweight Brandon Royval, fresh off his “Fight of the Year” contender against Joshua Van, and widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in the division.
“I don’t give a shit about fighting at the f—king White House. I wanna fight in front of big crowds, bro,” Royval told the In The Arena MMA podcast. “It’s like, how big can the White House even have of a stadium? Is that shit outside, too? “I don’t give a f—k about any of our political figures right now, and to fight in front of them seems like some f—king Hunger Games type of f—king shit. I don’t give a f—k to fight in front of some f—king billionaires that could give a shit less about me. F—k you guys. I want to fight in front of people who are Raw Dawg fans, fans of MMA, and who can relate to me.”
“I don’t give a f—k about impressing any politicians. I don’t care about the Presidents. I just don’t want to fight at the White House if I’m being honest,” Royval concluded. “Also, I’m too Mexican-looking. ICE is suspiciously arresting motherf—kers, and I don’t know. Who knows, next thing you know, I’m in Mexico and I don’t speak Spanish.”
It’s a fair point. Reports suggest UFC White House will seat fewer than 5,000 people on the South Lawn due to security and space restrictions, while up to 85,000 additional fans will watch from The Ellipse — a nearby park. So, essentially, it’s a larger outdoor version of the UFC Apex … just with the most powerful people in the world cageside.
Ironically, Royval headlines the final UFC event of 2025 next month against heated rival Manel Kape — inside the UFC Apex, with limited fans.
Regardless, don’t expect to see “Raw Dawg” on next year’s White House card. But you can bet plenty of American fighters who bleed red, white, and blue will be there.
