Donald Trump appears set to 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 polls last week.
Following his lopsided victory, the 78-year-old invited UFC boss Dana White to the Mar-a-Lago stage to celebrate his return to the White House.
Now, it looks like Trump will return the favor by coming out in support of the UFC CEO and president.
MMA fighter Bo Nickal revealed that Trump reportedly told him he will be in New York for the UFC card this weekend.
“I think he’ll be there,” Nickal told Ariel Helwani. ‘He told me a couple of times that he was going to be there. He is the president. … I’m sure if he’s not there (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 might endorse at Madison Square Garden.
“I imagine the president is probably rooting for the Scot to lose,” joked Craig, a native of Airdrie, Scotland.
Trump has enjoyed a close relationship with the UFC over the years, regularly attending events and even previously boasting about saving the company.
During an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast in the run-up to the election, Trump was quick to explain the role he played in making the UFC the multimillion-dollar success it has become under White, whom Trump labeled “the biggest guy.” ‘.
Trump asked the president and CEO of the UFC 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 stage podium and, after some enthusiastic praise for Trump, launched into what appeared to be his own victory speech.
“No one deserves this more than him, and no one deserves this more than his family,” White began, perhaps expectedly.
MMA fighter Bo Nickal revealed that Trump told him he will be on Saturday’s card.
The president-elect has enjoyed a close relationship with the UFC, regularly attending events.
UFC boss Dana White was invited on stage at Trump’s election celebrations at Mar-a-Lago.
‘This is what happens when the machine chases you. What you’ve seen in recent years, this is what it looks like.
‘He keeps going, he doesn’t give up. He is the most resilient and hardworking man I have ever met. His family are incredible people. This is karma, ladies and gentlemen. He deserves it, they as a family deserve it.”
But he soon began listing names, similar to what you might expect in an Oscar acceptance speech, naming several streamers.
‘I want to thank a few people very quickly. I want to thank the guys at Nelk, Adin Ross, Theo Von (all streamers). And the mighty powerful Joe Rogan. Thank you America, have a good night.”