It will be Trump's first appearance at UFC since becoming president-elect
Donald Trump is heading to yet another UFC fight night, but this time he'll attend as the president-elect.
Margo Martin, Trump's deputy director of communications, shot video of Trump boarding his plane to New York, where he will attend UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.
There were rumors Trump would attend more fights in the octagon after attending numerous UFC events in the past.
Donald Trump talks with UFC President Dana White during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena July 8, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Trump and UFC President Dana White are longtime friends, the latter making several appearances during Trump’s campaign leading up to the election.
President @realDonaldTrump departs to New York for UFC 309!! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/1AhSvwVmY6
— Margo Martin (@margomartin) November 16, 2024
White, who said Trump is a "big fan" of mixed martial arts, was asked to confirm rumors Trump was heading to the Garden during an interview with TMZ Sports.
"I think that anything is possible," White said with a smile. "Who knows? He could pop in."
White added that a majority of his organization’s fan base has shown love to Trump over the years.
"When you think about fighter walkouts, whenever a fighter walks out to the [octagon], I mean, the two biggest that actually shake the arena are President Trump and Conor McGregor," White said. "If he comes [Saturday] night, it will definitely be fun."
Dana White speaks next to former President Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, during a rally at Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., Nov. 6, 2024. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)
Trump showed up at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for UFC 302 in June, where a thunderous applause rained down from the crowd.
Now that Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, the reaction when Trump is spotted at the "World’s Most Famous Arena" is expected to be deafening.
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, who is back in the octagon after more than two years since his last fight, is a noted Trump supporter and believed he would be in attendance.
"I did see Trump, and 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.’ Obviously, he won the election, so it sounds like he’s going to be there," Chandler said.
Chandler added that winning his fight in front of Trump would be an "honor."
Former President Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks during a campaign event Sept. 25, 2024, in Mint Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Chandler is a part of the co-main event for UFC 309 and will fight Charles Oliveira. Jon "Bones" Jones also enters the octagon after a long hiatus and will be an overwhelming favorite over Stipe Miocic.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
