Former President Donald Trump had the crowd roaring when he entered Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena Saturday night with old pals Kid Rock and Dana White for UFC 296.
The arena jumped to its feet as Trump, 77, made a grand entrance, shaking hands with fans and UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan ahead of the highly anticipated welterweight championship bout between Leon Edwards, of the UK, and Florida’s Colby Covington.
Covington, an outspoken supporter of the 45th president, said ahead of the fight that Trump would put the belt on him f he defeated Edwards.
As he walked out to the octagon, Covington stopped by Trump’s cageside seats and the two exchanged words.
The former commander-in-chief patted his hand encouragingly on the fighter’s knee before the 35-year-old hopped in the ring.
However, Trump never had the chance to name Covington the new world champ.
Edwards, the defending champion, defeated challenger Covington handedly in five rounds by the judges’ unanimous decision 49-46, 49-46, 49-46.
Covington hadn’t fought since March 2022.
After the loss, Covington, with an American flag wrapped around his shoulders, gave a “shout out” to Trump as boos rained down on him from the crowd.
“You can delay us but you can’t deny us. He’s going to make America great again. We need these borders secure, we need inflation down and we need America first again. Donald Trump is the only one that’s going to do that again — Trump 2024!” he yelled.
The camera then panned to Trump, who gave a smile of approval at the MMA fighter, who disagreed with the judge’s ruling on the fight.
He compared his loss to Trump’s 2020 loss in a “rigged election” he said.
The octagon wasn’t the only place fighting broke out during the event.
Fighters Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis — who were not even UFC 296’s card — exchanged words in the crowd before Strickland seemingly asked spectators behind him to get out of the way.
He then jumps over the seats and starts pummeling Du Plessis’ head with his right hand before the pair are separated, with UFC CEO White’s help, according to MMA Mania.
Trump, a well-known boxing and mixed martial arts fan, made an appearance at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden last month when he walked in with Rock, White, Tucker Carlson and son Don Jr.