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Donald Trump has developed a bit of a tradition of attending major UFC events, and with UFC 309 shaping up to be a colossal night of action, fans are wondering if the former president will be present at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This year’s event is headlined by a highly anticipated heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, making it one of the biggest events on the UFC calendar.
Trump’s Busy Schedule, But UFC 309 Could Still Be on His Radar
As President-elect following his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump is preparing for his second term in office, which officially begins on January 20. Given the busy nature of his political schedule and the critical decisions he’s making regarding his administration, it’s unclear whether he’ll make time to attend UFC 309. However, UFC President Dana White, a close friend of Trump, has always made sure to welcome him at UFC events with open arms. Trump has been a regular attendee at major UFC events, often receiving a warm reception from the MMA fanbase, which has shown overwhelming support for him.
Fighters Hint That Trump May Attend UFC 309
As of Wednesday morning, no official confirmation had been made regarding Trump’s attendance at UFC 309. However, two fighters scheduled to compete on the card, Michael Chandler and Bo Nickal, have indicated that Trump plans to be there. Chandler recently shared with TMZ that Trump had personally told him he expected to attend the event.
Chandler said, “He said, ‘I’ll either be there on Nov. 16 because we won the election, or if I lost, I’ll be depressed, and I won’t show up.'” Chandler added, “Obviously, he won the election, so it sounds like he’s going to be there.”
Nickal, meanwhile, also shared similar sentiments during an appearance on *The Ariel Helwani Show*. “I think he’s gonna be there,” Nickal said. “He told me a couple of times that he’s gonna be there. He’s the President... I’m sure that if he’s not at UFC 309, there was something else that was more important.”
Trump’s Relationship with UFC and the MMA Community
Since Trump’s political career began with his presidential win in 2016, he has developed a strong connection with the MMA community, particularly through his relationship with UFC President Dana White. White has been a vocal supporter of Trump, even speaking on his behalf at the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020 (virtually), and 2024. White also celebrated Trump’s recent election win with him at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump’s relationship with the UFC has been more than just political. In November 2019, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a UFC event, sitting cageside at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden, which featured Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz for the BMF title. Trump continued to attend UFC events following his presidency, with notable appearances at UFC 264 in Las Vegas in 2021 for the Conor McGregor-Dustin Poirier trilogy, and again at UFC 287 in Miami in 2023.
Trump’s Recent UFC Appearances
In recent years, as the 2024 election cycle ramped up, Trump’s attendance at UFC events became more frequent. In April 2023, he was present at UFC 287 in Miami, followed by another appearance in November 2023 at UFC 295 in New York. His most recent appearance was at UFC 299 in March 2024 in Miami.
With UFC 309 now on the horizon, it seems likely that Trump will continue his tradition of attending major UFC events, given his long-standing relationship with the sport and the UFC organization. Fans at Madison Square Garden may just get to see the familiar sight of Trump sitting cageside as the heavyweight title fight between Jones and Miocic unfolds.
Will Trump Be There?
While no official confirmation has been made, the indications from fighters Chandler and Nickal suggest that Trump could indeed attend UFC 309. With his strong ties to the UFC and his history of attending major events, the possibility of Trump being at Madison Square Garden for UFC 309 remains high. As always, if Trump does show up, fans can expect a warm welcome from the MMA community, who continue to support him and his relationship with the UFC.
