Trump and Cabinet Officials Attend UFC Event in Miami
The president has remained an avid supporter of the UFC and a passionate sports fan, often attending matches and cherishing a lasting friendship with UFC CEO Dana White.
President Donald Trump received a warm welcome with a standing ovation and cheers as he arrived at Miami’s Kaseya Center for a UFC event on April 12.
As he made his way to his cageside seat on Saturday night, Trump greeted supporters, many of whom waved iconic red “Make America Great Again” hats. Expressing his gratitude for the enthusiastic reception, Trump stated it was a “great honor.” He spent several hours at the event before departing back to his Palm Beach residence.
“It shows we’re doing a good job. If we weren’t, we’d see a different reaction,” he remarked to reporters aboard Air Force One.
Trump’s dedication to the UFC and sports is well-known; he frequently attends significant fights and has a strong bond with UFC President and CEO Dana White.
The president was accompanied by White as he entered the Miami venue. He shared a warm greeting with podcast host Joe Rogan, who is a former UFC commentator and analyst. Both Rogan and adviser Elon Musk sat alongside the president during the match.
Other notable administration members in attendance included Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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While some Democrats and certain factions within the Republican Party have criticized Trump’s policies, particularly regarding recent tariff decisions, those concerns were absent during the UFC event on Saturday.
“Every one of them came up at the end, and they were great,” Trump shared. “I mean, they’re all warriors, modern-day warriors.”
Fighter Dominick Reyes approached the Octagon to acknowledge the president after his victory, even taking a photo with Trump after a post-fight interview.
In the featherweight matchup, Australian Alexander Volkanovski secured his 10th consecutive championship win, defeating Brazil’s Diego Lopes early Sunday morning by unanimous decision.
President Donald Trump attends a mixed martial arts fight at UFC 314 in Miami on April 12, 2025. Lynne Sladky/AP Photo
This marks the president’s first UFC event since he began his second term earlier this year, following his appearance at the Saudi-sponsored LIV golf tournament at his Miami golf club just weeks prior.
In February, Trump attended both the Daytona 500 and the Super Bowl. He was also present cageside at a UFC championship fight in New York last November, shortly after winning the election. Many believe that his close relationship with UFC has positively affected his appeal among younger male voters.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.