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Last weekend, former US President Donald Trump attended the 295th issue held in New York Absolute Fighting Championship (UFC) tournament. The politician appeared at the Madison Square Garden arena, accompanied by the head of the league, Dana White, and the famous political commentator Tucker Carlson.
The tribunes greeted the 45th President of the United States with a standing ovation.
A few days later, Trump, who was participating in the presidential race, was again on the MMA agenda. It’s all because of a major sponsor of the UFC, who asked White to remove a post in support of Trump from his Instagram account (the activities of Meta (the social networks Facebook and Instagram) are banned in Russia as extremist). The boss of the organization lost his temper, and then spoke about what happened on comedian Theo Vaughn's podcast:
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"I posted a video in support of Trump, after which one of the major sponsors of the league called and told me to delete it. Do you know what I answered? "Fuck you *****!" You vote for whoever you want, and I will do it — that's how it works. I don't care who you choose. However, never call and tell me who to vote for.”
The functionary's reaction was expected. Not only is he being silenced in “the freest country on the planet,” but the advancement of Trump, whom White has gratefully supported for years, is also being jeopardized.
Trump and White have been friends for more than 20 years
…which is not surprising, since Trump has a soft spot for combat sports. In 1988, he won the auction for the superfight for the title of absolute world boxing champion between Mike Tyson and Leon Spinks (Iron Mike's triumph in 91 seconds). For a boxing evening at the Trump Plaza complex in Atlantic City, they then had to shell out $11 million.
Trump also tried to do cool projects in MMA: in 2008, he took part in the creation of a promotion of the same name by clothing manufacturer Affliction. The league lasted only a year, but managed to make a splash: several real stars performed under its auspices, and the second (and last) tournament was headed by Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Orlovsky. The Russian scored a knockout in the first round.
What about the UFC? At the beginning of the 21st century, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta bought the promotion; in 2001, White became head of the league. But problems arose with finding venues for events, because stadium owners simply did not want to cooperate with MMA. Bankruptcy was inexorably approaching… Now it’s hard to believe, but then Trump became the only one who extended a helping hand to the UFC and concluded a deal with the organization. The billionaire gave the go-ahead to hold two promotion tournaments in his casino, which, of course, added hype to mixed martial arts emerging from the shadows.
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"Dana is amazing, don't you agree? I constantly feel his support. Cool guy, very smart. And he is my faithful friend. At one time, I helped him: no one had ever wanted to compete in the UFC, and he remembers everything. Although many people forget this… First they support it, and then they forget it when it’s convenient for them. But Dana is not one of those guys,” Trump said in an interview with Full Send Podcast.
At the same time, White can disagree with Trump regarding the vision of the situation in the country. For example, a functionary insists on “lower taxes.” The UFC head is sure: it would be too ideal if he agreed with everything his friends believe in and what they talk about.
“Trump is my idol”
Like White, UFC stars also dote on Trump. Among them:
- Colby Covington
- Jorge Masvidal
- Justin Gaethje
- Conor McGregor
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Perhaps the main fan of the 45th President of the United States in the MMA industry. Chaos dedicates victories to him, he is glorified in almost every interview… In 2018, the interim UFC champion was even invited to visit Trump (Covington calls himself the first fighter to visit the White House), and two years later the head of state called the American to congratulate him with an early victory over former belt holder Tyron Woodley. It happened right during Colby's interview after the fight.
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"It was something fantastic. I think this was decisive in my career. When you receive a call from someone you admire, you experience simply indescribable emotions. Trump is my idol. He told me: “Boy, you are my idol.” I like watching fights with your participation.” “Something unreal,” Covington shared his impressions on the Candace program.
Trump's sons also have a good relationship with Colby: in 2019, Eric and Donald Jr. from the front row supported Chaos in a fight with another ex-UFC champion, Robbie Lawler.
Like former friend Covington, the first «Most Dangerous Bastard» also warms to the ex-president. They often crossed paths at various events, including UFC tournaments. And after his farewell fight, the American, throwing mud at Fidel Castro, dedicated a speech to Trump, who arrived at the event a few days after his arrest.
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"The greatest president in the history of the world is sitting here. I love this guy. We also have the greatest governor in Florida (Republican Ron DeSantis). Let's keep Florida free. And let's deprive power… You know who. And we'll replace it. Go Brandon!' — chanted Masvidal, the author of the fastest knockout in UFC history.
«Go, Brandon!» is an American meme referencing a car race in Alabama and an interview with a competitor named Brandon. Fans chanted “***** Biden,” and a TV reporter interpreted the chant as “Go Brandon!” The phrase spread around the Internet and became a “decent” version of an insult to current US President Joe Biden.
The second “Most Dangerous Bastard” personally spoke with Trump before the fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov. And then, three years later, the ex-president called Gaethje to congratulate him on his knockout victory over compatriot Dustin Poirier.
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"It was amazing. Trump loves fighting, a real fan. He said he was proud of my performance and invited me to visit him in New York or Florida so that we could play golf,” TMZ quotes Gaethje as saying.
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< br>Where would we be without the Irishman? In 2020, the Notorious One praised the then-leader of the United States for reducing poverty and unemployment among African Americans:
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"Phenomenal President! Probably the greatest in US history. In any case, definitely one of the best. And after all, he stands on the shoulders of incredible giants who came before him. It’s not easy.”
Trump also has support in other sports. So, before the 2016 elections, Tyson supported the billionaire, who was always respectful both to Iron Mike and to the family of the legendary boxer.
Respect to Khabib and Fedor
Now Trump often appears at UFC tournaments and tries not to miss the broadcasts of cool events. White admits that the ex-president can call him and talk about fights for an hour… He especially likes the performances of Covington and Masvidal, who has completed his MMA career.
Trump also has a close connection with Russian MMA. After all, promotional work with Fedor would hardly have interested the future President of the States without great respect for our legend. Trump himself said that the only handshake after which he did not want to wash his hands was the greeting of the Last Emperor!
And the billionaire does not skimp on compliments to Khabib:
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"I thought he was great. But it seems that he will not return. Last night I asked Dana White, «Where's Khabib?» You have to get him back in the octagon!' I really think Nurmagomedov was a great fighter… Simply fantastic.»
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