Written by Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
President-elect Donald Trump received a massive ovation from the New York crowd when he arrived at UFC 309 on Saturday.
A fixture at many fights in recent years, Trump didn’t shy away from making an appearance at the latest UFC card at Madison Square Garden less than two weeks removed from his election victory over Kamala Harris.
He entered the arena flanked by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Robert Kennedy Jr. and musician Kid Rock, who both supported him during his latest campaign.
DONALD TRUMP WALKOUTS ARE BACK IN STYLE #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/th3j4kTAGy
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) November 17, 2024
Trump often appears at UFC events to support longtime friend Dana White, who returned the favor when he became one of the new president’s main allies as he looked to reclaim the Oval office after he was ousted from that position four years ago. During the 2016 and 2020 elections, White appeared at the Republican National Convention to speak on Trump’s behalf but the UFC CEO took on an even bigger role in the re-election campaign in 2024.
White routinely appeared on television and at rallies to show Trump support. He even got the chance to speak at Trump’s inauguration celebration after he clinched his victory in the election.
Many fighters competing at UFC 309 talked about the possibility that Trump would make an appearance at what has become an annual event for the promotion in New York.
Security was understandably increased with Trump appearing at the event where he’ll be seated next to White in the seats closest to the cage for the event. Often times in the past, fighters would leap over the octagon to greet Trump and shake his hand but it remains to be seen if the Secret Service will still allow that to happen given the recent election results.
Trump will watch cageside as Jon Jones makes his return to action in the main event where he defends his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic while Michael Chandler looks for a measure of revenge when he clashes with Charles Oliveira in the five-round co-main event on Saturday.