Trump, granddaughter gaggle with reporters on Air Force One after UFC fight
President Trump attended UFC 314 Saturday night and received a hero’s welcome from the Miami MMA crowd who chanted “U-S-A!” as the president entered the arena.
Trump arrived at the Kaseya Center just after 9 p.m. with a coterie of conservative power players including DOGE chief Elon Musk, FBI Director Kash Patel, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
The commander in chief walked in with granddaughter Kai Trump to the song “Taking Care of Business.”
On the walk in Trump greeted several high profile attendees including UFC announcer and podcaster Joe Rogan and Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy.
Portnoy posted about his interaction with the president, writing on X, “Told @realDonaldTrump I loved the water pressure legislation and told him I’d love to have him on [the Davey Day Trader Global Podcast].”
Later, the president was sought out by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who gave the president a handshake and hug ringside.
In between the bouts, Trump broke out his signature “shimmy” to the delight of the crowd, video shows.
After a knockout win, light heavyweight fighter Dom Reyes and his entire team stopped by Trump’s ringside seats for a victory photo-op, posing with broad smiles next to the president and “First Buddy” Musk.
Prior to the bouts, President Trump made a prediction on Air Force One for who would come away the winner on the night.
“You have a lot of good fights. Who’s going to win? Dana White. Dana White is going to win,” Trump joked about his supporter and CEO of the UFC, Fox News reported.
Tonight’s main event saw Australian Alexander Volkanovski taking on Diego Lopes of Brazil who were vying for the recently vacated featherweight championship title. That exciting fight went the distance, but Volkanovski came away the winner, becoming the first fighter over 35 to win a UFC title in any weight class below welterweight.
Lightweights Michael Chandler faced off against fan favorite Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett who won by TKO in the third round of the bout.
Trump last attended a UFC event in the fall, soon after the election — returning to Madison Square Garden for UFC 309, where he received thunderous applause.
Trump also spent time with UFC CEO Dana White, a vocal MAGA supporter, the two joking in front of the cameras as the crowd roared.