Former President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at UFC 290, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The 45th president, known for his love of combat sports, joined UFC President Dana White and a team of Secret Service agents as he emerged from the tunnel to the excitement of the crowd.
Trump, exhibiting his usual social demeanor, engaged with fans by shaking hands and exchanging a few words as he made his way toward the octagon. The unexpected sighting left attendees and even the event’s broadcasters in awe, their surprise evident as Trump appeared on the big screen. However, this was not Trump’s first foray into the world of UFC, as he has previously attended events, including UFC 244, even while serving as president.
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President Donald J. Trump making the entrance like nobody else can! 💪💪🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vzt79RuVh3
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) July 9, 2023
Seated in prime position next to the octagon, Trump relished the evening, posing for photos with those around him during breaks between fights. Even renowned UFC commentator Joe Rogan took the opportunity to meet with Trump amidst his broadcasting responsibilities, highlighting the significance of the former president’s presence.
During the event, an exhilarating main card captivated Trump and the audience. The featherweight division’s reigning champion, Alexander Volkanovski, secured an impressive victory over Yair Rodriguez, knocking him out and defending his belt. The fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Moreno was equally enthralling, necessitating the judges’ input after five intense rounds. Pantoja ultimately claimed victory by a split decision, dethroning Moreno as the flyweight champion. Notably, this marked the third time Pantoja had triumphed over Moreno in the octagon.
In an extraordinary display of admiration, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis, fresh from his middleweight bout against Robert Whittaker, leaped over the cage to personally congratulate Trump and White. Du Plessis had secured a knockout victory over Whittaker in the second round, adding to the excitement of the evening.
💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/cyXSGPWMXm
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) July 9, 2023
Trump’s presence at UFC 290 underscored his deep appreciation for the sport and his friendship with Dana White, who had previously spoken on his behalf at the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Trump/Wahlberg #UFC290… pic.twitter.com/dXDqaUf6LQ
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) July 9, 2023
Very cool to see Guy Fieri and President Trump talking at tonight’s UFC event. pic.twitter.com/WijYxCcEsc
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) July 9, 2023
President Trump and @stylebender 👀 pic.twitter.com/AFdZKsyb9Q
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) July 9, 2023
