How the UFC became Donald Trump’s sporting home… thanks to Dana White, Joe Rogan, fighters and fans

In 2017, Dana White announced his campaign and teased a new flagship policy. The UFC president had witnessed the meteoric rise of mixed martial arts and now, he suggested, it was time to take over another swing state: boxing.

White was inspired to take up a second sport after working the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight. Seven years later, however, ‘Zuffa Boxing’ remains in the works.

White has, to be fair, been busy cementing himself as kingmaker in another realm. The 2024 election, which secured Donald Trump’s return to the White House, was the latest proof that there are few political vehicles as powerful as the UFC.

That’s why, just days after beating Kamala Harris, Trump returned to Madison Square Garden for UFC 309.

There’s a reason he was joined by allies and appointees, including Robert Kennedy Jr, Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, Vivek Ramaswamy and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

The Octagon has become a home for Trump’s new alliance and his new form of right-wing politics. He went there after his conviction in the New York ‘hush money’ trial and also returned after his crowning moment.

UFC president Dana White has become a key supporter and friend of the president-elect

Trump recently attended UFC 309 in New York with a host of allies, including Elon Musk (R)

White has become a key contributor, commentator Joe Rogan provided Trump with a huge platform before the election, the fighters love him and so do the fans.

“As the UFC has grown, there have been a lot of people who have jumped on the bandwagon and become fans,” White said this week. “Trump was there from the beginning.”

This unlikely union dates back to the early 2000s, when the UFC was in peril.

“Arenas around the world refused to host our events. No one took us seriously – except Donald Trump,” White said in 2016.

The president-elect agreed to put on UFC shows at his Atlantic City casino.

“Donald was the first man to recognize the potential we saw in the UFC and encouraged us to build our business… Trump is a fighter and I know he will fight for this country,” White said.

‘I will always be so grateful to him for being with us in those early days.’

Now the UFC is a billion-dollar behemoth that has broken into the sporting and cultural mainstream. Now it is White who offers Trump refuge.

In the weeks since Election Day, athletes from all sports have tipped their hats to the president-elect. Nick Bosa, Calvin Ridley and Brock Bowers are among the NFL players who imitate his dance moves on the field.

White, Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump, Musk and Kid Rock watch as Mauricio Ruffy celebrates

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is one of the UFC players doing the Trump dance

USMNT star Christian Pulisic did it too. But only Jon Jones was allowed to dance for Trump. The UFC heavyweight champion handed his title to the 78-year-old billionaire and gave him a shout-out from behind the microphone. Fans fussed about it.

That undoubtedly applies to White, Rogan and the fighters who helped him return to the presidency.

Trump is said to be a big fight fan. “Every time he flies on his plane, or he’s home on Saturdays, he watches UFC fights or boxing,” White said recently.

It’s easy to understand why their worlds collide. The glitter, the money, the masculinity, the aggression, the vulgar language and the general despair in an increasingly pure society.

For Trump, the UFC has become a safe haven in a polarized country. Arguably nowhere else, outside of his own rallies, is he guaranteed as warm a welcome as he is in the cage.

They like the locker room in him — Frankie Edgar, Henry Cejudo, Justin Gaethje, Beneil Dariush and Colby Covington are among the fighters who have endorsed Trump. Sean Strickland is another vocal supporter.

At MSG last week, Jones wasn’t alone. Bo Nickal and Michael Chandler spoke with the president-elect at UFC 309.

After the show, White was asked why so many fighters have found their political home in the 78-year-old Republican.

UFC supporters hold up a Trump flag during fight night at Madison Square Garden

Trump greets Joe Rogan, with whom he did a three-hour interview before the US elections

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones shares a handshake with Trump after his fight

“Everyone’s tired of the bull***, we’re all tired,” he said. “We all just want to live our lives and run our businesses and raise our families and do all those things and hopefully all these things will settle down over the next four years.”

Shortly before the election, Gaethje, Dariush and Cejudo campaigned for Trump in the swing state of Michigan. Jorge Masvidal joined his bid for re-election in 2020 and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich was seen during the Capitol riot on January 6.

Trump is also extremely popular in the stands. A survey last year found that no one watched UFC more than those aged 25 to 35, with 90 percent of viewers being men.

In the recent election, 60 percent of white men in key states voted for Trump, while he defeated Harris among men ages 18 to 29 (49 versus 47 percent) and 30 to 44 (53 versus 43 percent).

Men are flocking to UFC, to Trump… and to Rogan. The Joe Rogan Experience is the most popular podcast on Spotify in the United States. It is alleged 80 percent of Rogan’s listeners are male, with a majority between the ages of 18 and 34.

Trump, newly elected Vice President JD Vance and Musk all appeared on his show ahead of Election Day. The three episodes have been viewed 86 million times on YouTube alone. Together they form about nine hours of – largely unfiltered – campaign material.

“His base is Trump’s base,” Trump ally Kellyanne Conway once said of White. “And Trump’s base is his base.” Harris did not participate in the show; Rogan officially supported her opponent.

Rogan’s popularity has been increased by his work as a color commentator for the UFC. But the real power and voice behind the organization is White. He has become one of the most influential figures in sports – and one of Trump’s most important allies.

UFC boss White will speak at Trump’s election campaign event in Florida on November 6

The UFC president visited Trump at the White House with Covington in 2018. Steven Cheung, chosen as White House communications director during Trump’s second term, previously worked for the UFC.

Few top athletes have as much freedom as his former boss. White is not limited by governing bodies or even competitors. His main job is to keep his fans happy. And he knows how to play the crowd.

In recent years, White has donated more than $1 million to Trump’s cause. He has also used his platform to speak out against Joe Biden and Harris — and to promote Trump. To mark the UFC’s 25th anniversary in 2018, he released a documentary titled “Combatant in Chief,” detailing “Trump’s history in combat sports.”

A tribute video to the president-elect, meanwhile, played on MSG’s big screens ahead of the main card at UFC 309.

White spoke at the Republican National Conventions in 2016. He introduced Trump at the 2024 RNC and he took the microphone again at Trump’s election victory party.

The bosses he has to answer to? Endeavor, the UFC’s multi-billion dollar company. Endeavor also owns the WWE, whose former CEO, Linda McMahon, is Trump’s pick for education secretary.

A few days before America went to the polls, Trump hosted a rally at The Garden. It was billed as a triumphant return to its roots. A few weeks later he was back at MSG. Coming home again.

“I don’t want anything to do with politics,” White emphasized this week. ‘I’m never doing this again… I don’t want anything to do with this. It’s dirty. It’s disgusting.’ But it may be too late for that.