Former President Donald Trump had the crowd roaring when he entered Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena Saturday night with longtime friends Kid Rock and Dana White for UFC 296.
The arena jumped to its feet as Trump, 77, made a grand entrance, shaking hands with fans and UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan ahead of the highly anticipated welterweight title fight between Leon Edwards, of the UK, and Colby Covington of Florida.
Covington, a vocal supporter of the 45th president, said before the fight that Trump would put the belt on him if he defeated Edwards.
As he walked out to the octagon, Covington stopped at Trump’s cageside chair and the two exchanged words.
The former commander-in-chief clapped his hand enthusiastically on the fighter’s knee before the 35-year-old jumped into the ring.
Trump and Kid Rock attend the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images UFC President Dana White and Trump attend the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 16, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
However, Trump never got the chance to name Covington the new world champion.
Edwards, the defending champion, defeated challenger Covington in five rounds by a unanimous decision of the judges 49-46, 49-46, 49-46.
Covington has not competed since March 2022.
After the loss, Covington, with an American flag draped over his shoulder, gave Trump a “shout-out” as jeers rained down on him from the crowd.
Colby Covington speaks with Trump at the start of the UFC welterweight title fight during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
“You can delay us but you cannot deny us. He will make America great again. We need these borders secure, we need inflation down and we need America first again. Donald Trump is the only one who will do it again — Trump 2024!” he screamed.
The camera then pans to Trump, who gives an approving smile to the MMA fighter, who disagrees with the judge’s decision on the fight.
He compared his defeat to Trump’s defeat in 2020 in a “rigged election” he said.
Trump watches the flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil (above) and Brandon Royval of the United States during UFC 296. Getty Images
The Octagon wasn’t the only place where battles broke out during the event.
Fighters Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis — who is not on the UFC 296 card — exchanged words in the crowd before Strickland appeared to ask the crowd behind him to stay away from him.
He then jumped onto the seat and began hitting Du Plessis in the head with his right hand before the pair were separated, with the help of UFC CEO White, according to MMA Mania.
Trump, a known fan of boxing and mixed martial arts, made an appearance at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden last month when he entered with Rock, White, Tucker Carlson and son Don Jr.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
