MMA competitor Royce White To Challenge Ilhan Omar In Minnesota Congressional Race

Royce White, a former NBA player and LFA fighter, announced that he will be running for the state’s 5th Congressional District seat against the current congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

White, a Minnesota native, played his college basketball at the University of Minnesota, and Iowa State. He was drafted in the first round by the Houston Rockets in the 2012 NBA draft before being traded to the Sacramento Kings.

After playing just one season in the NBA, he joined the Canadian league.

Throughout his short stint in the NBA, White raised his voice regarding the mental issues faced by the players and accused the league of not taking enough measures to address the cause.

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, White also participated in several protests demanding swift justice and condemned police violence.

In 2014, he left basketball and pursued MMA as a career.

He made his professional debut against Daiqwon Buckley at LFA 120, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

It’s likely White will run as a Republican for the Congressional Race as he is a big admirer of former presidential advisor Steve Bannon and former U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Omar is currently serving as congresswoman for a second term in Minnesota and earlier this month, she announced she intends to run for a third term.

In a short video uploaded on his Twitter account, White officially announced his candidacy.

“My name is Royce White. I am a fifth-generation Minnesotan and a product of the Twin Cities. But first and foremost, I am an American.” White said.

“We have to fight for freedom. We have to protect our communities. We have to restore what it means to be an American citizen. I’m running for Congress because our leaders have sold us out.”

White’s only appearance as a pro-MMA fighter came at the close of 2021.