The former politician is far from new to the fight game. Back in the 1980s and 1990s he facilitated and leveraged his star power to host a slew of combat sports events held at his casinos in Atlantic City, N.J. He even was instrumental in setting up some of Mike Tyson’s biggest fights, including his infamous 91-second victory over Michael Spinks in 1988.
In 2019, Trump attended a UFC event at the invite of Dana White, tweeting at the time, “Walking into Madison Square Garden last night with @danawhite for the big @UFC Championship fight was a little bit like walking into a Trump Rally. Plenty of MAGA & KAG present.”
Before leaving office, Trump included famous fighter Jack Johnson among those he pardoned, stating that Jack is the “first African American heavyweight champion of the world, a truly great fighter. Had a tough life.”