Donald Trump appears set to make a return to the octagon this weekend for the first time since the 2024 Presidential election.
The president-elect will reportedly attend UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night after defeating Kamala Harris at the Ballot box last week.
Following his sweeping victory, the 78-year-old invited UFC chief Dana White on stage at Mar-a-Lago to celebrate his return to the White House.
Now, it appears Trump is to return to the favor by showing up in support of the CEO and president of UFC.
MMA fighter Bo Nickal revealed that Trump reportedly told him that he will be in New York for the UFC fight card at the weekend.
‘I think he’s gonna be there,’ Nickal told Ariel Helwani. ‘He told me a couple of times that he’s gonna be there. He’s the President. … I’m sure that if he’s not (at UFC 309), there was something else that was more important.’
Donald Trump will reportedly attend UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden this weekend
Meanwhile, the American fighter’s opponent for Saturday’s fight night, Paul Craig, joked about who Trump could be backing at Madison Square Garden.
‘I imagine the President is probably rooting for the Scottish guy to lose,’ quipped Craig, who hails from Airdrie, Scotland.
Trump has enjoyed a close relationship with UFC over the years, regularly attending events and even previously bragging about saving the company.
During an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast in the buildup to the election, Trump was quick to explain the part he played in making the UFC the multi-billion-dollar success it has become under the stewardship of White, who Trump labeled ‘the greatest guy’.
Trump tapped the UFC President and CEO to speak for him at the last three Republican National Conventions before inviting him to the onstage victory party.
White was invited to say a few words at the podium on the stage, and after some glowing praise for Trump, launched into what seemed to be a victory speech of his own.
‘Nobody deserves this more than him, and nobody deserves this more than his family does,’ White began, in perhaps expected fashion.
MMA fighter Bo Nickal revealed Trump told him that he will be at the fight card Saturday
The president-elect has enjoyed a close relationship with UFC, regularly attending events
UFC chief Dana White was invited onstage at Trump’s election celebrations at Mar-a-Lago
‘This is what happens when the machine comes after you. What you’ve seen over the last several years, this is what it looks like.
‘He keeps going forward, he doesn’t quit. He’s the most resilient, hard-working man I’ve ever met in your life. His family are incredible people. This is karma, ladies and gentlemen. He deserves this, they deserve it as a family.’
But he soon began to list names, similar to what you might expect from an Oscars acceptance speech, naming several streamers.
‘I want to thank some people real quickly. I want to thank the Nelk boys, Adin Ross, Theo Von [all streamers]. And the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan. Thank you America, have a good night.’
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