The success story of the UFC is a tale of more downs than ups. The company exchanged ownership multiple times, but one man’s persistence paved the way for its current soaring success. UFC President Dana White took over the reins of the company in 2001, and all he acquired was the brand name ‘UFC’ and an old octagon. He poured in, not only his money but also his soul, to keep the business afloat. The Fertitta brothers put their last millions on The Ultimate Fighter, the reality show intended to familiarize Americans with MMA.

Those were the tumultuous times when the survival of promotion hinged on Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar‘s fight. The promotion sailed through the storm and soon established itself as the biggest MMA in the promotion. Endeavor, UFC’s parent company, recently evaluated it at around $12 billion as it launched a bid to acquire WWE. While the iconic fight is widely narrated as the fight that saved UFC, there is an unsung hero, Donald Trump.

How Donald Trump helped Dana White build the UFC?

The former POTUS has registered his presence during multiple UFC PPVs, most recently at UFC 290. Some fans might not know, but his association with UFC dates even before the Fertitta brothers got involved.

When the UFC was making losses in its heydays and failed to generate revenue and tie up sponsors, the promotion was running short of venues to conduct events. The 77-year-old business mogul offered to aid UFC by providing arenas to conduct events when most turned their backs on UFC.

“He [Donald Trump] saw it, he got it. He cut us that deal at [Trump Taj Mahal] when we went there,” White said once.“He got there for the first fight of the night and stayed there until the last fight. He did it both times that we were there.”

Trump Taj Hotel in Atlantic City hosted UFC 30 and UFC 31 in 2001. This humble gesture earned him a loyal friend in the UFC head honcho, who reciprocated with his support for Trump in the 2016 elections.

How the UFC became the sports arm of Donald Trump’s MAGA regime?

The 55-year-old rallied his support for Trump when the latter decided to run for the Presidential elections. At the Republican National Convention in July 2016, White endorsed the American businessperson’s run.

He recounted, “Arenas around the world refused to host our events. Nobody took us seriously. Nobody. Except Donald Trump. Donald was the first guy that recognized the potential that we saw in the UFC and encouraged us to build our business.”

“Donald [Trump] 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,” he added later.

Following this, the UFC lynchpin recalled how Trump used to come and sit in the front row of the UFC events. A tradition that still continues to date.

Dana White reveals how big a fight fan Donald Trump

White, in the post-UFC 287 presser, disclosed how UFC has a big fan in the Republican. Trump’s presence at the arena evoked curiosity among fans. Addressing those, White stated, “So this guy [Donald Trump] calls me twice a month. And will talk to me for an hour about fights that have happened since the last time we talked.”

Further, he shed light on Trump’s knowledge about the UFC and the associated fighters. White announced, “And he knows everybody. He knows what they did and who they fought last. He’s a huge fight fan. Loves this stuff.”

Thus, it raises an amusing question: who does Trump support among the fighters?

Who are Donald Trump’s favorite UFC fighters?

In the same presser, White lifted the veil on Trump’s favorite fighters. He disclosed that friends turned foes, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal are his favorite fighters. It is no hidden secret that these fighters are staunch Trump supporters and don’t shy to voice their support publicly.

Read More: “Slowly Turning Into a Trump Fan”: One Year After Banning Donald Trump From His Podcast, Joe Rogan’s UFC 290 Link Up With Ex-POTUS Sends Internet Into a Meltdown

What do you think of this deep connection between Donald Trump and the UFC? Will you now look at his presence at UFC events differently? Let us know in the comments below.

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