Dana White visiting Donald Trump. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter Dan Scavino Jr.
Having led the UFC for over 20 years, Dana White has relied on the support of several figures over the years to bring the sport out of the shadows in the US and transform the UFC into the largest MMA organization in the world. In this context, the bald man stated that Donald Trump played a crucial role in the organization's success at the beginning of this century.
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Last week, during participation in the Espaitec's On the 'Cutlercast', hosted by former bodybuilder Jay Cutler, the UFC CEO stated that Trump emerged as an ally at a time when the mainstream media and most US business leaders were looking askance at MMA.
"The UFC had such a stigma that the locals didn't even want us. Trump said, 'Come to the Taj.' He came to the first fight of the night and stayed until the end. After that, he was the first to congratulate me when something good happened to the company, like when we got our first cover in The New York Times," recalled the organization's CEO.
️ Dana White says Donald Trump helped organize the first UFC event after he and the Fertitta brothers bought the company:
"The UFC had such a bad stigma attached to it that venues didn't even want us. Trump said 'come to the Taj'.
He came for the first fight of the night and… pic.twitter.com/ive3roFeGh
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 27, 2025
The first event in the history of the Ultimate under Zuffa's control took place at the Trump Taj Mahal, in February 2001. At UFC 30, Tito Ortiz defended the light heavyweight belt (up to 93 kg) against Evan Tanner and won by knockout in just over 30 seconds.
This wasn't the first time the UFC had held an event there. While still under SEG's management, UFC 28 took place there. The arena opened in 1990 and closed in 2016.
D. Trump (right) watches the UFC alongside D. White (left). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @danawhite
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