This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.What Cyborg, Tate say about UFC’s all-male White House card

Josh Peter, USA TODAYSat, June 13, 2026 at 10:03 AM UTC

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UFC Freedom 250 has a glaring omission.

There are no women on the seven-fight card set for the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, June 14.

Ronda Rousey remains one of the UFC's most recognizable fighters and paved the way for other female MMA stars. Why not pay tribute to that legacy at the White House?

Cris Cyborg, a former UFC champion and MMA legend, and Miesha Tate, a retired UFC star one-time rival of Rousey's, both shared their views with USA TODAY Sports about the situation.

"The UFC is one of the best at raising the platform for women's competition,'' Cyborg, 40, said by text message. "The UFC pays women champions more than highest paid WNBA players and has constantly pushed for an equal opportunity for both men and women to compete.

"The White House card doesn't have one 'undercard' on the event. Every fight Sunday could main event another UFC event.  It's unfortunate that it doesn't feature a big women's fight.''

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UFC Freedom 250: Everything to know before UFC at the White House

Cyborg speculated that the UFC would have included a fight between former champion Amanda Nunes and current bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, but Harrison had neck surgery in January and has yet to return to the cage.

Dana White, UFC's CEO, said he tried to put together a fight between Mackenzie Dern, the reigning strawweight champion, and Zhang Weili, the top contender in that division. But White said he was told Weili was off and unavailable to fight.

So it does appear White explored the possibility of a women's fight.

"I figure he did,'' Tate, 39, said by text message. "I don't see it as a slight toward women, just circumstantial.''

Rousey's agent did not reply to interview requests submitted by email.

How to watch Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria -

Date: Sunday, June 14

Where: The White House (South Lawn)

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Stream:Paramount (free with subscription, starting at $.99/month).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cris Cyborg, Miesha Tate respond to UFC's all-male White House card

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