Khabib Nurmagomedov Last night (Saturday, June 1, 2024), he appeared at a UFC event for the first time in a year and a half, playing as a cornerback. Islam Makhachev To victory Dustin Poirier (Watch highlights.) Following the submission win, the former UFC lightweight champion had the opportunity to speak with the presidential candidate. Donald Trump — received a rapturous standing ovation inside the Prudential Center — On ending Israel's war against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Footage from cageside showed Nurmagomedov shaking hands with Trump, who was seated next to him. Dana White throughout the pay-per-view (PPV) portion of UFC 302. Khabib appeared to tell Trump that he was confident the former president would end the conflict if elected president in November.
“Let's not do that,” Trump replied.
It was a heated moment that extended beyond the UFC's usual sphere of influence, with many media outlets seizing on Trump's apparent support for peace in conflict zones. It also marks a departure from his usual stance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Trump has previously said he supports Israel's war against Hamas and would crush pro-Palestinian protests and deport protesters.
Trump has become a regular attendee at UFC events, receiving star treatment befitting a former U.S. president who is a sports fan. When Trump took office, UFC and White approached him in an attempt to gain influence and power through his administration.
And it worked.
This promotion gave me a direct line to State Department officials and allowed me to help resolve a variety of international issues (such as this one).
In these dark days of President Trump, UFC is returning the favor: The Republican nominee for the 2024 election was convicted on 34 fraud counts and faces possible prison time when he is sentenced on July 11, 2024. While some might think all this bad press is making “The Donald” less popular, his appearances at UFC events tell a different story.
Indeed, not only was Trump cheered by MMA fans in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday night, but chants in his support were heard from the crowd on multiple occasions.
Now Khabib is using Trump's appearance at a UFC event to call for an end to the wars in the Middle East. Somehow, mixed martial arts (MMA) has become a strange medium in the world of politics, which is surprising considering that 10 years ago, politicians wouldn't even touch it with a 10-foot pole.
Dirty gangsters…
For complete results, coverage and highlights from UFC 302, here.
