US President-elect Donald Trump and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk watch a fight during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York, on November 16, 2024. Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK — US President-elect Donald Trump was greeted by chanting fans as he attended the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight bout at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Trump entered the arena shortly before the start of the main card accompanied by UFC chief executive Dana White, who was a prominent backer during his election campaign.

Article continues after this advertisement

Several political allies of Trump were also in attendance including entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have been asked by Trump to lead efforts to cut government inefficiency.

FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Eight dead, 17 hurt, in China school knife attack – police GLOBALNATION Marcos appoints new envoys, gov’t officials  GLOBALNATION Poland scrambles jets during Russia's missile attack on Ukraine – army

READ: Trump booed at UFC fight night in New York

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump has nominated to be health secretary, was also at the fight and a photo posted on X showed the pair flying to the event together on Trump’s private plane.

Article continues after this advertisement

After waving to the chanting crowd, Trump warmly greeted UFC broadcast analyst Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host who also endorsed Trump after he appeared as a guest on his show.

Article continues after this advertisement

The venue’s “jumbotron” giant screen above the cage where fighters will battle for titles then showed a video featuring highlights of the election campaign with soundbites from Trump.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Podcaster Joe Rogan endorses Trump on eve of US election

The film ended with the numbers 45 and 47 on the screen, representing the Republican’s previous and upcoming presidency.

Article continues after this advertisement

Fans chanted “USA, USA,” a refrain frequently heard at Trump rallies, including one he held at Madison Square Garden last month.

Trump frequently attends UFC events and attended three fights during his campaign for the White House.

Trump’s ties to the fight world run deep.

He featured retired WrestleMania star Hulk Hogan at the Republican convention in August and hosted UFC bouts at his casinos in the early days, when the series struggled to gain traction and well before it became today’s multi-billion success.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Several UFC fighters have been public in their support of Trump and one of Saturday’s combatantsslotbet, Jim Miller, celebrated his win with words in support of Trump’s planned Department of Government Efficiency which will be headed by Musk and Ramaswamy.

READ NEXT Dinosaur skeleton fetches 6 million euros in Paris sale Xi tells Biden ready for ‘smooth transition’ to Trump EDITORS' PICK Chelsea Manalo named continental queen of Asia at Miss Universe 2024 Metro Manila malls offer free parking during Pepito’s onslaught WALANG PASOK: Cavite classes suspended on Nov. 18 due to Pepito Alejandro Ramon Roces Prieto; 87 Eight dead, 17 hurt, in China school knife attack – police LIVE UPDATES: Super Typhoon Pepito MOST READ Super Typhoon Pepito Live Updates WALANG PASOK: Cavite classes suspended on Nov. 18 due to Pepito Pepito makes second landfall in Aurora Chelsea Manalo named continental queen of Asia at Miss Universe 2024 Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• slotbet
• Trump
• and
• return
• Allies