Trump Steals The Show At UFC 302, Crowd Chants ‘We Love Trump’ And ‘FJB’
After entering the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey to a standing ovation and chants of “USA” on Saturday night, President Donald Trump continued to be the center of attention throughout the main card of UFC 302.
🚨 BREAKING: Donald Trump walks into UFC 302 in New Jersey just days after being convicted 10 miles away in New York — Crowd ROARS 🔥pic.twitter.com/Da9sKhNiMo
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 2, 2024
My God… what an ovation for President Trump.. at UFC 302..
The Democrats are DONE ON November 5!!
This is in New Jersey folks… pic.twitter.com/eJe8F8QLsH
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) June 2, 2024
While making his way to his cage-side seats, the former president stopped to shake hands with UFC broadcasters Jon Anik, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier. Rogan acknowledged the massive showing of support for Trump on the broadcast, saying “Boy, the round of applause he’s getting right now is pretty staggering.”
Fans then erupted into chants of “USA” as the president gave a fist pump when he was again shown on the stadium jumbotron.
Midway through the main card opener between Randy Brown and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, the crowd erupted into chants of “f**k Joe Biden.” Rogan once again took notice of the massive cheers, asking “what is the crowd cheering for right now?”
The crowd at UFC 302 chanting FJB, FJB, FJB!
President Trump gave a fist to the crowd sending enormous cheers throughout the stadium!!
Listen to Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan! Haha! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/lJrnqt1VOW
— AuzSOME Austin (@AuzsomeAustin) June 2, 2024
“It’s.. it’s not good,” Cormier then joked, at which point Rogan figured it out. “Ahh, it’s FJB,” the world’s top podcaster said with a laugh. “There’s two different events going on right now.”
The crowd then pivoted to chants of “we love Trump,” prompting the promotion to once again show the former president on the scoreboard, generating a massive pop from fans.
With a slow start to Randy Brown-Elizeu Zaleski at #UFC302, the crowd at the Prudential Center in New Jersey breaks into a “Hunter Biden” chant–and then “We want Trump” pic.twitter.com/1SIcfnZuxk
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) June 2, 2024
Midway through the main card, UFC fan favorite Kevin Holland jumped the cage and immediately shook hands with the former president after securing an impressive armbar submission in the first round. The two then had a brief conversation before Holland turned and spoke with Dana White.
Former UFC Middleweight champion Sean Strickland also gave the former president a shoutout after securing a title eliminator win over Paulo Costa. “President Trump, you’re the man bro,” the always outspoken veteran said while pointing at the presidential frontrunner. “It is a damn travesty what they’re doing to you. I’ll be donating to you my man, let’s get it done!”
Strickland then posed for a cage-side selfie with the former president, which went viral on social media.
WATCH: After UFC fighter Kevin Holland wins the match, he goes and shakes President Trumps hand.
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) June 2, 2024
The Sean Strickland Trump selfie goes CRAZY pic.twitter.com/muYvJ2cFFE
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 2, 2024
BREAKING: Former UFC champion Sean Strickland shouts out Trump in his post-fight victory speech.
“President Trump, you’re the man… It is a d*mn travesty what they are doing to you. I’ll be donating to you, my man.” pic.twitter.com/M8YQ3jpyTX
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) June 2, 2024
After the card had concluded, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov shook hands with the former president and spoke with him for over a minute. “I know you will stop the war in Palestine,” the undefeated legend said. “We will stop it,” Trump said in response.
Khabib: I know you will stop the war in Palestine.
Donald Trump: We will stop it. I will stop the war. pic.twitter.com/Ve7eshXF1B
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) June 2, 2024
Saturday’s UFC event marked Trump’s first public appearance since he was convicted on 34 felony counts in a case that was plagued by political bias. The New York area crowd was firmly behind the former president, however.
Trump believes he can win in New York given the state’s recent trend to the right, as well as his elevated presence in the area due to the trial.
The former president has vowed to appeal the “hush money” conviction to the Supreme Court if necessary.
