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18-11-2024
NEW YORK: Donald Trump received a warm welcome as he celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in New York alongside Elon Musk and some of his cabinet picks.
Trump entered the arena to loud music and cheers from the UFC 309 crowd at Maddison Square Garden.
He spent most of the night sat between UFC President Dana White and Tesla CEO Musk.
Two of Trump’s key cabinet picks, Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard, plus Vivek Ramaswamy, who will lead Trump’s cost-cutting “Department of Government Efficiency” with Musk, were also in the crowd.
Trump enthusiastically greeted podcaster and UFC announcer Joe Rogan, who endorsed the president-elect after he appeared on his show before the election.
Trump waved to fans, who chanted “USA” as he walked to the octagon, before soaking in applause and dancing as the UFC played footage celebrating his election victory over Kamala Harris.
Jon Jones, who retained his heavyweight UFC title, then celebrated by heading over to greet Trump, handing the president-elect his title.
“I want to say a big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,” said Jones, receiving a huge roar of approval from the crowd.
Trump has been a long-time supporter of the UFC, attending many of its live events over the years.
He usually receives a warm welcome from fans, though he received some boos at a UFC event in 2019, towards the end of his first term as president.
White has been one of Trump’s most high-profile backers.
The UFC president gave a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, saying; “I’m in the tough guy business and this man is the toughest, most resilient human being I have ever met in my entire life.”
Meanwhile, Jon Jones cemented his status as one of the best mixed martial artists of all time as he stopped Stipe Miocic with a stunning kick to retain his heavyweight title at UFC 309.
Jones dropped fellow American Miocic with a thudding spinning back kick in the third round at New York’s Madison Square Garden to make the first defence of his belt.
Jones, 37, said he plans to continue his UFC career, but did not confirm if his next fight will be against Britain’s interim champion Tom Aspinall.
“As far as my future in the octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire,” said Jones.
“I’ll have some conversations and we have some negotiating to do and if everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see.”
Former two-time heavyweight champion Miocic, 42, confirmed his retirement after defeat.
“It sucked I lost. I knew he was one of the best of all time. Came strong. I felt good. I was blocking and he caught me in the ribs,” said Miocic.
“I’m done. I’m hanging them up. I’m retiring, thank God.”
Former light-heavyweight champion Jones’ win was his record-extending 16th in title fights and 22nd overall in the UFC.
Miocic, leaves the sport with the record for most heavyweight title defences (four) and widely considered the division’s greatest champion.
The prestige of the event was amplified by American president-elect Donald Trump, who sat octagon-side after arriving to a rousing reception alongside tech billionaire Elon Musk, musician Kid Rock and UFC supremo Dana White. (Int’l News Desk)
