Donald Trump kept his word to appear at UFC 309 after winning the 2024 presidential election. Just weeks after becoming the second US president-elect, Donald Trump appeared cageside for Saturday’s event at MSG. He walked out on the pay-per-view main card alongside UFC CEO Dana White to rapturous applause from the crowd. One could liken his superstardom to that of UFC superstar Conor McGregor walking to Sinéad O’Connor’s version of “The Foggy Dew”.
Jon Jones dominated Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 pay-per-view (PPV). He even shouted out the three-time Republican candidate and GOP Nominee’s name in a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “Bones” even started a “USA! USA!” chant … and dapped up with a dance move proprietary to Donald Trump.
UFC has no shortage of starpower. But Trump has been on the zenith of it for the last few. But is it the loudest pop from the crowd – even more than Conor McGregor? Dana White weighed in:
When you think about fighter walkouts, whenever a fighter walks out to the [Octagon] — I mean, the two biggest that actually shake the arena are President Trump and Conor McGregor, two of the biggest fight walkouts ever
Dana White to Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (on FS1; 🎥
@TMZ_Sports)
This was in a 11th hour media availability interview before UFC 309. Of course, Trump did make an appearance and even went viral for it. The bossman and the ex-prez go way back. In the early days of White’s UFC ownership, when states (like New York-which now adores the UFC) refused to hold MMA matches, Trump offered up his Atlantic City casinos. Additionally, White was even a Republican GOP business taskforce member and his prime RNC speaker.
Dana White says the two BIGGEST UFC walkouts that “shake the arena” are Conor McGregor and Donald Trump
🎥 @TMZ_Sports #UFC #MMA #UFC309pic.twitter.com/zFNX1BJ4hm
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 16, 2024
So it’s no wonder that Trump keeps making high-profile post electoral appearances at the UFC. His fame and camaraderie is something that’s even surpassing McGregor’s even these days, which subsequently isn’t hard to do given he is on the bench sicne his 2021 TKO leg break. White recently gave some answers on that too.
Dana White expects Conor McGregor to fight ‘later next year’
Conor McGregor’s long-awaited “Connie comeback” may have to wait a little longer. The Irish superstar has been teasing his return to the octagon for several months now, hoping to fight again sometime in 2025. While next year is still the target timeframe, CEO Dana White cautions hard. He has revealed that he now believes McGregor’s return won’t be any sooner than later.
Dana White pitches in on Conor McGregor returning (Source: irishmirror.ie)Conor McGregor was to have a 5-round welterweight pay-per-view (PPV) top bill return in June, at UFC 303. He was to face Michael Chandler but pulled out of media availability at Dublin’s 3Arena due to injury. Meanwhile, Chandler moved on to face Charles Oliveira this weekend. Oliveira survived a late scare and a chaotic R5 to wipe him out in a hard war via. unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45).
White addressed that a McGregor vs. Chandler rebooking is still the way to go. But it would be on a very later date.
That’s a fun fight, …I think Conor and Chandler both like that fight. When Conor comes back, which I see being sometime the later part of next year, we’ll see where everybody’s at and what’s going on and we’ll figure out who faces Conor…It’s a fact that he does [want to come back next year], …He and I probably talk four or five times a month. He definitely wants to come back.
Dana White for “The Jim Rome Show” (@jimrome)
🇮🇪💥Dana White said that Conor McGregor will most likely return at the end of 2025.
“Conor hits me all the time he wants to fight. He will probably return at the end of 2025. If it’s earlier – it’s good for all of us.”
🎥 @ufc ▫️ pic.twitter.com/aEViW690PG
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 17, 2024
Despite constant delays and a two year gap, Chandler yet again dared McGregor with a call-up at UFC 309. White again presented that his riches and lack of need for a more complimentary contractual rehash does complicate things. But, to that end, there are positive signs that this could just happen.
