How did Donald Trump help build Dana White’s UFC?
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Donald Trump and Dana White (Image Courtesy: UFC)
Dana White took 20 long years to make UFC reach the heights it is at currently, from a bankrupt organization bought by the Fertitta brothers to a multi-billion dollar business. Throughout this journey White as the president has done everything in his power for the benefit of the promotion, this includes taking help from powerful people when needed.
One of the most polarizing figures that had direct involvement in helping the UFC is the former president of America, Donald Trump. During its earlier days, the US Athletic Commission didn’t take UFC seriously, and the promotion had no venues to host the shows. Back then, MMA was considered a brutal blood show with no rules. During that adversity, it was Trump who called White to come to host the show in his place.
Dana White said during a podcast with Pivot: “This brand was so bad, venues didn’t even want us. Arenas didn’t want us. We had a hard time finding venues. Trump literally called us. He said ‘Come to my place, do the event here. We’ll have you at the Trump Taj Mahal.’ We get there, greatest setup for us. Showed up at the first fight and he was there until the last fight.”
According to White since then his relationship with Donald Trump has regularly evolved in positivity and both have helped each other on multiple occasions. “Everything that happened to me in my career from there on out, he’d pick up the phone and congratulate me. Or send something. He’s always been a solid guy with me,” said White.
Related: Jorge Masvidal visits Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago after historic arraignment on invitation
UFC personalities who have publicly shown their support for Donald Trump
It’s hard for public figures to strongly show their political opinion given the unnecessary amount of criticism that comes with it. However, some of the UFC personalities have been very open about their views and have supported Donald Trump during his election campaign.
Dana White
Dana White’s relationship with Donald Trump goes way back and when the time came for White to repay the debt he didn’t back out even if his well-wishers said no. White has appeared in Trump’s political rallies twice and given his unbiased speech in front of huge crowds.
Jorge Masvidal
One of the most popular UFC fighters, Jorge Masvidal is a huge Trump supporter and has said in favor of his policies on various occasions. The fighter was also personally invited to iconic Mar-a-Lago after Trump won the felony charges in 2023.
Colby Covington
Colby Covington has been a Trump supporter for years and even got invited to the White House when he won the UFC interim welterweight championship. During a lot of his promotions, he wore the ‘Make America Great Again’ the hat to show his support.
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Soumya Ranjan
(2167 Articles Published)