New Delhi: United States President Donald Trump announced that the White House will host a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) event next year as part of celebrations marking 250 years of American independence.
The announcement, made during a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, is the latest sign of Trump’s unusually close relationship with the world’s most popular mixed martial arts (MMA) league.
For Indian readers, UFC may seem like just another American sports league, but its political significance in the US is hard to overstate. UFC is a Las Vegas-based company that has turned MMA—a blend of boxing, wrestling, judo, and other combat sports—into a global spectacle, with millions of fans, including a growing base in India.
At the heart of UFC’s rise is Dana White, its long-time president, who has been a vocal supporter and friend of Trump for over two decades.
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Trump’s announcement
Trump’s plan is to hold a high-profile “championship fight” on the White House lawns, with a live audience of up to 25,000. “Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We’re going to have a UFC fight. We’re going to have a UFC fight—think of this—on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there,” he told supporters.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the event on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), calling it “EPIC!”. The news quickly made waves in the sports world, with former UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor expressing his eagerness to participate.
“Happy 4th of July, USA. Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight event at the White House. I would be honoured! Count me in!” McGregor posted, hinting at a comeback after four years away from the Octagon.
“So every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honour of America 250. And I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight,” Trump said.
UFC, Trump date back
For many Indians, American sports are often associated with the NBA (basketball) or NFL (American football). So why is UFC, a relatively new entrant, being given such prominence by a US president?
The answer lies in the personal history between Trump and UFC’s Dana White. Back in 2001, when MMA was still struggling for mainstream acceptance in the US and was even banned in many states, Trump offered his Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City as a venue for UFC events.
“This brand was so bad, venues didn’t even want us. Arenas didn’t want us,” White has recalled. Trump’s support gave UFC a crucial lifeline, hosting UFC 30 and UFC 31 at his casino. “He literally called us. He said, ‘Come to my place, do the event here. We’ll have you at the Trump Taj Mahal,’” White said.
Since then, White has remained loyal to Trump, publicly endorsing his presidential campaigns. At the 2016 Republican National Convention, White said, “Donald championed the UFC before it was popular, before it grew into a successful business, and I will always be so grateful to him for standing with us in those early days. So tonight I stand with Donald Trump.” In 2020, he repeated his support, praising Trump’s economic record.
After a failed assassination attempt on Trump last year, White said on The Pat McAfee Show, “This guy is almost 80 years old. The guy tried to blow his head off. And to have the reaction that he did when he got up, this guy has been a friend of mine for 25 years, one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever met. He’s an unbelievable friend, and he’s forever now the ultimate American badass.”
Immediately after winning the 2024 election, Trump brought White onstage to thank him for his efforts in helping him get re-elected.
Trump has been present at multiple UFC events, including UFC 316 held last month in Newark, New Jersey, where he was seen watching a fight alongside White.
Trump’s combat sports politics
The UFC’s journey is similar to that of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Both started as niche entertainment but have become mainstream, especially after merging under TKO Holdings in 2023.
Trump’s connection with WWE, formerly WWF, started in 1988 when his Trump Plaza in Atlantic City hosted WrestleMania events in both 1988 and 1989. Over the years, he made several appearances and became involved in various storylines, most notably the “Battle of the Billionaires” at WrestleMania 23 in 2007.
Trump’s involvement culminated in his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013, recognising his contributions to the company and combat sports.
Netflix recently signed a $5 billion deal to stream WWE content, showing just how powerful this audience has become. But for Trump, UFC is more than just a sports league—it’s a political platform.
The UFC even produced a documentary showcasing the league’s history with Trump and his role in promoting mixed-martial arts on a national stage. The short film is titled Combatant in Chief.
Karim Zidan, an investigative journalist and host of America’s National Public Radio’s In The Red Corner podcast, has closely tracked Trump’s relationship with the UFC. Zidan notes that Trump’s presence at these events is designed to tap into “apolitical young men and conservatives who share his support,” a demographic that often feels excluded from the broader political conversation.
Colby Covington, a former interim UFC welterweight champion, has been one of the most vocal Trump supporters in mixed martial arts. He has publicly called Donald Trump one of his biggest role models and campaigned for him, often wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and referencing Trump in post-fight interviews.
Ahead of his UFC 296 title fight in December 2023, Covington requested that Donald Trump, who was in attendance, be allowed to put the championship belt around his waist if he won. Covington said: “That would mean everything to me, man. I’m his biggest fan, he’s my biggest role model. What better way for him to put the belt around me? …who better than the most famous person on planet Earth, Donald Trump, to give me the belt?”
Other fighters, like Jorge Masvidal and Henry Cejudo, have campaigned for Trump, with Masvidal even leading a “Fighters Against Socialism” tour in Florida.
The Trump-UFC connection extends beyond American borders, as UFC’s popularity surges in India. Indian fighters like Anshul Jubli and Pooja Tomar are making significant strides on the global stage, boosting interest in the sport.
Reflecting this growing enthusiasm, the UFC India’s official Instagram page has gained over 680,000 followers, a rise that coincides with Anshul Jubli becoming the first Indian male to secure a UFC.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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