Former President Donald Trump made a splash at UFC 299 in Miami, marking his first UFC event attendance of 2024. The Republican candidate arrived at the Kayesa Center to watch the highly anticipated matchup between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera.
Trump, who announced his attendance at a rally in Rome, Ga., compared the UFC fights to the election process in the country, calling it a “tamer” version of politics. He praised UFC president Dana White for his leadership, jokingly hoping White doesn’t run against him for office.
Accompanied by White, Trump made a grand entrance to Kid Rock’s “American Badass” playing in the background. He was also seen mingling with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy during the event.
This isn’t Trump’s first rodeo at a UFC event, as he attended four events last year, including UFC 287 and UFC 296. Despite his support for fighters like Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, who have openly endorsed him, both fighters suffered losses in their respective bouts.
The main event of UFC 299 featured O’Malley, who is favored to defeat Vera and reclaim the Bantamweight Championship. O’Malley’s only loss in his last six fights was to Vera back in 2020.
Trump’s presence at the UFC event added an extra layer of excitement, showcasing his continued interest in the sport and its athletes. Fans can expect more high-profile appearances from the former president as the UFC season unfolds.
