President-elect Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance at UFC 309 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, cementing his status as a central figure in both the political and sports worlds. Surrounded by a notable group of supporters and cabinet picks, Trump was met with a raucous welcome from the crowd, as chants of "USA, USA!" echoed through the arena. His appearance was one of several key moments on a star-studded night that featured a championship title defense by Jon "Bones" Jones.
Trump's entourage at the UFC event included several of his high-profile cabinet selections, which he has announced in the weeks following his November 5 election win. Among those accompanying the president-elect were Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom were chosen to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. Also in the group were Tulsi Gabbard, tapped for director of national intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., selected to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
The crowd's enthusiasm for Trump was palpable as he entered the arena. Along with his family—sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump—he was joined by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-LA, and UFC President Dana White, a longtime ally and fan of the president-elect. White, who has had a close relationship with Trump dating back to their time together hosting UFC events at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, welcomed the president-elect with open arms.
"I'm telling you, the noise in here is deafening," remarked UFC commentator Joe Rogan during the broadcast as Trump made his entrance. "It's always loud when he comes in, but tonight? It’s on another level. Now that he's won, now that he's President again, it's like nothing else."
The evening was filled with thrilling matchups, but the most electric moment came in the main event when UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones successfully defended his title against Stipe Miocic. Jones, who has been outspoken about his support for Trump, delivered a stunning spinning back kick to Miocic, securing a technical knockout in the third round. As he celebrated in the ring, Jones broke into Trump’s signature dance moves, prompting cheers and applause from the pro-Trump crowd.
In his post-fight interview with Rogan, Jones thanked the president-elect directly. "A big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight," Jones said, sparking another loud "USA! USA!" chant from the Madison Square Garden crowd. "I'm proud to be a great American champion. I'm proud to be a Christian American champion."
After the fight, Jones, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time, walked over to Trump’s ringside seat, where he handed the president-elect his UFC title belt. Trump, visibly pleased, invited Jones to the White House when he takes office in 2025.
"This is a great moment," Trump said, as he smiled and waved to the crowd. "Jon, I’m looking forward to seeing you at the White House soon."
The night also saw other exciting fights, including a thrilling co-main event where Charles Oliveira won a unanimous decision against Michael Chandler. Chandler, a known Trump supporter, briefly conversed with the president-elect after the bout, underscoring the close connection between UFC stars and the incoming administration.
Saturday’s event marked Trump’s first UFC appearance since securing his victory in the 2024 presidential election, and the atmosphere was electric. It came just weeks after the president-elect held a massive rally at Madison Square Garden, and his presence in the arena only served to further bolster his status as a commanding figure in American politics.
The raucous reception at UFC 309 was a reflection of Trump’s enduring appeal to his base, which has remained fervently loyal throughout his political journey. With a new administration on the horizon and a fresh cabinet lineup in place, Trump's influence is only poised to grow in the coming months.
