The UFC legend Robbie Lawler bade adieu to his mixed martial arts career at UFC 290 last July. Donald Trump was present to witness the event live at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, urging Lawler to continue fighting as the ‘Ruthless’ lived up to his reputation. Knocking out Niko Price in 38 seconds, the 42-year-old marked a glorious end of his 22-year MMA career.

Facing Price on the preliminary card of UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena, the night was headlined by Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight title defense against Yair Rodriguez. But that didn’t prevent Robbie Lawler’s fantastic performance during his retirement fight from getting the attention it deserved. Courtesy of visuals from the newly released three-part documentary Fight Inc.: Inside the UFC, it sure seems like it did, especially from Donald Trump.

The former President of the United States made his way to the T-Mobile Arena right before the historic featured prelim. Soon after the fight started, Lawler and Price got into a clinch, with the then-41-year-old softening up his final opponent with a couple of uppercuts before finishing Price with a sharp overhand strike. It took all of 38 seconds, which made one of the commentators remark, “There are no fairytales in fighting, but Robbie Lawler is living one right now.” 

Watching backstage as the legend capped off his career in proper ‘Ruthless’ fashion, UFC CEO Dana White told Donald Trump: “That’s Robbie Lawler’s last fight. He just retired.” The former POTUS’ reaction was just a shocked “Oh, man!” It was indeed an “Oh, man!” moment because Lawler, who came to be known for his stoic personality, was visibly emotional after the UFC honored the Hall of Famer with some of his career highlights.

Speaking to the UFC color commentator Joe Rogan after the highlight reel, Lawler said, “This is amazing. I’ve had a long career, and I’ve had a lot of people help me get to where I am today. Without them, none of this is possible, and I’m blessed. I’m grateful.” He eventually made his way backstage and met Trump, who remarked jokingly, “I’m not fighting this guy,” before expressing his admiration for the former welterweight champion. “I’ve been a big fan,” he said while asking ‘Ruthless’ to reconsider retirement after the impressive victory.

“That was one hell of a fight,” Donald Trump told Lawler before he turned towards Dana White and said, “Here’s an option: he can immediately go back, or he can retire.” That reminded White of Trump’s first reaction to Lawler’s victory. “As soon as the fight ends, he says, ‘You know what this means? He’s not retiring now,’” the UFC CEO shared, which made ‘Ruthless’ chuckle.

In an interview with The MMA Hour just two weeks after his retirement fight, Lawler addressed the possibility of making a comeback. When probed about the chances, he replied, “I’m a fighter, I’m never going to say [never]. But I’m in a good place. You never know, but I feel good. I’m not going to say no because you never know.” However, since that fight on July 8, 2023, the Hall of Famer hasn’t returned to the octagon. Instead, he’s using his MMA expertise to coach fighters at Kill Cliff MMA in Florida.

Following the conversation with Robbie Lawler, Donald Trump marched into T-Mobile Arena to his usual American Badass theme song. With Dana White in tow, the former President was greeted with a standing ovation. A regular feature at the UFC events – especially after White highlighted Trump’s role in the UFC’s success – the Republican nominee for the 2024 Presidential elections was in attendance again at UFC 302 as he rubbed shoulders with one of the GOATs.

Donald Trump called Khabib the “greatest fighter ever” after their UFC 302 encounter

When Dana White and his brother acquired the UFC in January 2001, the promotion had a bad stigma attached to it, per the head honcho. It was so extreme that “we couldn’t even get into venues; they didn’t want us,” revealed White in an interview with Tucker Carlson. But Donald Trump recognized the IFC’s potential and “offered us to do the event at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Imagine back then; Trump brand is way up, UFC brand is way down, but he took us in, and he was great.”

Because of the sports fan he is, evidently of the UFC, too, Trump made an appearance at UFC 302 and met Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was back in the UFC octagon, cornering his friend and protege Islam Makhachev for his title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. After the fight, he ran into Trump, and the two talked amicably. Following that encounter, the former President expressed his admiration for the undefeated champion.

Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social handle, “Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired after a record of 29-0, never having lost even a single round, is probably the Greatest Fighter of All Time. I met him at the UFC event on Saturday night in New Jersey. A really smart guy- Big things in the future for Khabib!” According to ‘The Eagle’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who was present when Trump and Khabib talked, the former President told Khabib he was his favorite fighter of all time during their run-in on June 1.