In a speech that might be best remembered for its sheer volume, UFC President Dana White gave a full-throated endorsement of freshly minted GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump Tuesday at the Republican National Convention.
During his speech, delivered before Republican delegates in Cleveland just minutes after Trump's official nomination, White steered well clear of the issues that have defined Trump and this election cycle for the Republican party, instead focusing on his long-standing relationship with Trump.
"I’ve been in the fight business my whole life. I know fighters," White said during his speech, which was broadcast live by several television and online outlets. "Ladies and gentlemen, Donald Trump is a fighter, and I know he’ll fight for this country."
UFC Pres. Dana White: "Donald Trump is a fighter and I know he will fight for this country" https://t.co/DhDlglCvxa https://t.co/PwBQFtgGcm
— CNN (@CNN) July 20, 2016
White's support reciprocates the backing Trump gave the UFC after White and his business partners, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, purchased the then-struggling company back in 2001. The first and second UFC events hosted after that purchase were both held at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
"Arenas around the world refused to host our events," White said in his speech. "Nobody took us seriously; nobody except Donald Trump. Donald was the first guy that recognized the potential that we saw in the UFC and encouraged us to build our business."
It made sense for the brief remarks to avoid political discourse of any kind, given that Trump's policy positions could be bad for the UFC's business. Among other stances, Trump has indicated a desire to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States and force Mexico to build a wall along the U.S. Mexico border.
Disappointing to see people like @danawhite completely ignore the bigotry of Trump because they are buddies. https://t.co/zAOni30Xgp
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) July 20, 2016
Leaders with the UFC, which was recently purchased for $4 billion by the WME-IMG entertainment talent agency, have repeatedly said they wish to expand internationally, including into the combat-sports hotbed of Mexico. White's association with Trump, even if done in relatively apolitical fashion, could potentially be seen as a kind of support for Trump's foreign-policy ideas, which are deeply unpopular in Mexico and beyond.
I have no opinion on American politics, but if anyone wanted to see Dana White yell at people, here's the video. https://t.co/TiasWcWdM9
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) July 20, 2016
To this point, however, there has been no substantial backlash to White's appearance at the RNC, and it is entirely unclear whether or to what extent such opposition will materialize.
Ultimately, White played it safe, bellowing into the microphone that he believed Trump to be the best presidential candidate as a result of Trump's business background and loyalty to associates like White and the UFC.
“In my opinion, you can really tell a person’s true character when they’re happy for somebody else’s success," White said. "And I think that sense of loyalty and commitment will translate into how [Trump] will run this country."
