The UFC has always been a place where passions run high, but on Saturday night in Denver, the octagon became a stage for political drama.
Evan Elder, fresh off his submission victory over Darrius Flowers on the preliminary card, seized the moment to voice his support for former President Donald Trump amidst a turbulent day for the political figure.
Just hours before UFC Fight Night commenced, chaos erupted at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Shots were fired in what many believe to be an assassination attempt on the former president. Trump, raising his fist and covered in blood, was quickly ushered off stage by the Secret Service, who neutralized the threat. As news of the incident spread, its impact reverberated all the way to the UFC event in Denver.
Dana White, the UFC president and a known Trump ally, maintained his composure as the night’s fights continued. White, who is slated to speak at the Republican National Convention this week, has never hidden his friendship with Trump, having spoken at several of his rallies in the past. The ties between the UFC and Trump were underscored by Elder’s post-fight speech.
After securing his victory with a deft submission, Elder took the microphone to address the crowd. “I heard they just tried to whack my boy Trump. I’m glad that man is OK – long live Trump, let’s go baby. Trump 2024!” he exclaimed, drawing a mixed reaction from the audience.
The statement was met with applause from some, while others appeared taken aback by the sudden political endorsement.
RELATED: Bronny James Found Himself Trending After Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump
Trump’s deep ties with the UFC: A long-standing fan and friend Trump has long been a fan of the UFC, frequently attending events over the years. His most recent appearance was at UFC 302 in Newark for the Islam Makhachev-Dustin Poirier title fight, just days after being found guilty of falsifying business records. Prior to that, Trump attended UFC 299 in Miami, showing up mere hours after a rally in Georgia where he praised Dana White.
Last year alone, Trump was a spectator at four UFC events, including UFC 287 and UFC 296 in Miami and Las Vegas, respectively. He watched fighters like Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, who are vocal supporters of Trump, despite both suffering losses in their bouts.
The rally shooting didn’t just echo in Denver; it resonated across the UFC community. Colby Covington, known for his outspoken political views, didn’t hesitate to express his support for Trump. Covington, often seen sporting MAGA hats and praising Trump in interviews, took to social media to voice his concern and well-wishes for the former president.
The political endorsement from Elder and the reaction from the UFC community reflect the ongoing intersection of sports and politics. As fighters and fans alike grapple with their personal and political beliefs, the octagon remains a unique platform where these issues can be publicly aired. The events of the night in Denver highlight the powerful influence of political figures on sports and the mixed reactions they elicit from the public.
