Mixed martial artist Jon ‘Bon’ Jones might have lifted the UFC heavyweight championship belt at Madison Square Garden last night – but he was more than happy to cede the limelight to someone else.
That honour went to US President-elect Donald Trump, 78, who brought some of his closest political allies to take in the pay-per-view UFC 309 card between Jones and Stipe Miocic on Saturday.
As Jones lifted the belt, Trump – dressed in his trademark blue suit and red tie – looked delighted to be offered the chance to hold it for himself.
He looked down at the gold and gemstone-studded belt and grinned – as Jones, widely thought one of the finest fighters in UFC history, raised his arms victoriously.
Moments earlier, he had broken out into Trump’s signature dance – a vague hip wiggle and pumping of his arms – that the businessman regularly performed to the Village People’s YMCA on the campaign trail.
Among the 47th President-to-be’s company in New York was Elon Musk – newly appointed to Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – Kid Rock and his nominated health secretary and famed vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
And as he strolled into ‘The World’s Most Famous Area’, the President-elect made a beeline for Joe Rogan, the UFC commentator whose podcast almost certainly helped the Apprentice star back into the White House.
He was also seen alongside Dana White, the UFC CEO who lent his support to Trump throughout the Republican nominee’s campaign against Kamala Harris and has been staunch ally throughout the years.
Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr were also spotted in the crowd, as was House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, Democrat turned Republican Tulsi Gabbard and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, another DOGE appointee.
‘I’m proud to be a great American champion,’ Jones said inside the cage, adding: ‘I want to say a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight.’
Later, as he chatted to Trump, the fighter, renowned for his controversial oblique kicks, told the businessman: ‘The nerves you added to this event. I was so nervous. I’m glad I impressed you.’
Trump pumped a fist during an occasional outbreak of ‘USA! USA!’ chants from fans, many of whom wore red Trump caps and waved flags emblazoned with the President-elect’s image.
He was flanked in his front-row seat by White on his right and Musk on his left and politely applauded the fight winners.
And he had been hotly tipped to retain the title in Saturday’s bout against Miocic, a grappler who had returned to challenge Jones after a three-year hiatus due to injury.
Jones finished Miocic in the fight – and for good – with a stunning spinning back kick to the ribs and used a series of blows to the head in the third round to get the TKO win and retain the UFC heavyweight championship.
Miocic subsequently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts fighting – but Jones, 37, says he has no plans to bow out, with British heavyweight Tom Aspinall set to be his next challenger.
UFC CEO Dana White had promised Aspinall, who chatted with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, would challenge the winner of the main event in a unification bout.
‘As far as my future in the octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire,’ Jones said. ‘I know that we have options.’
Miocic, on the other hand, said following the bout: ‘I’m done. I’m hanging ’em up. I’m retiring. Thank God.’
The Donald has been a supporter of UFC since its early days as it sought to make its mark in the world of combat sports.
Dana White has credited Trump with helping the business to grow into one of the world’s largest sporting franchises by granting access to venues such as New Jersey’s Trump Taj Mahal (now Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City) to stage events.
The UFC boss said in 2016: ‘Arenas around the world refused to host our events. Nobody took us seriously — except for Donald Trump.’
White spoke at Trump’s request at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July, and appeared on stage at the election party in Florida.
He posted a picture of himself with Trump, Kid Rock and Elon Musk on social media, captioning it: ‘The boys.’
That kindness was repaid on Saturday as the event got underway – with a video showcasing highlights of the President-elect’s election campaign before showing the numbers ’45’ and ’47’, representing his presidencies.
And it is thought that his media tour-de-force through channels that appeal to the typical Republican American in the run up to the election – such as at UFC events and on podcasts such as Rogan’s – helped seal his victory on November 5.
Trump sat ahead of the election for a three-hour interview on Rogan’s podcast, which has an estimated 81 per cent male audience, per a YouGov poll.
UFC fighters spoke earlier this week in New York with excitement about earning the chance to fight in front of Trump.
‘To see Dana up on stage at the election, I feel like that moment just elevated the whole sport,’ Jones had said.
‘Americans, people from around the world were like, who’s the bald-headed dude talking? That represents all of us.’
Bo Nickal topped Paul Craig by unanimous decision in a welterweight fight, then crouched to speak to Trump.
‘I showed him my golf swing, asked him how it looked,’ Nickal said. ‘He said it needs work.’
