Former U.S. President Donald Trump is a longtime friend and fan of the UFC, attending live events such as UFC 287 and even calling UFC President Dana White twice a month to discuss fights.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump surprised fans when he showed up at UFC 287 in Miami over the weekend. Pictures show him sitting ringside, next to UFC President Dana White, throughout the main card. It is no secret that Trump is a huge fan of UFC, and his history with the brand goes back all the way to the early 2000s, when he was one of the sport’s earliest supporters.
According to White, Trump’s interest in the sport runs deep, and he is not just a casual fan. The former president reportedly calls White twice a month to discuss fights and fighters, and his knowledge of the sport is impressive. Trump attended UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2019, while he was still in office, and also attended UFC 264 in Las Vegas earlier this year.
White has spoken about his longtime friendship with Trump, and credits the former president for helping to popularize the sport during a time when it was struggling to find mainstream acceptance. White has also revealed that he knows who Trump’s favorite UFC fighters are, although this should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the former president’s association with the sport.
With Trump still being such a prominent figure in American politics, his association with UFC is likely to continue to generate interest from fans and media alike. While some may be critical of his political views, his love for the sport and his early support for it cannot be denied.