How Donald Trump helped save the UFC when no one else would



When the Ultimate Fighting Championship was nearly defunct, Donald Trump gave the organization a platform to display what would become one of the biggest sports empires in the world.

Trump’s relationship with UFC President Dana White dates back to 2001, when the UFC was beloved by only hardcore fight fans.

The organization had gained a cult following in the 1990s with names like Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Chuck Liddell, and Tito Ortiz headlining cards. Despite the company and those fighters being household names for fathers and sons who rented UFC tapes at their local video store, the company was running on fumes and nearing its end.

Money had dried up so much that owner Semaphore Entertainment Group was unable to fund the DVD releases of its last seven events from 1999-2000; UFC 23-29 subsequently became referred to as the “dark ages” of the UFC.

When Station Casinos executives Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, along with their business partner White, bought the UFC in 2001, all signs pointed to a failing business.

'I had my attorneys tell me that I was crazy because I wasn’t buying anything.'

White said in 2011 that at first, he and his partners were sports fans looking to invest in boxing. After attending a UFC event, however, the trio began taking jiujitsu classes and fell in love with the sport.

This piqued the group’s interest, and with White managing fighters Liddell and Ortiz, they found the perfect opportunity to get their hands on the company.

“It was going out of business,” White said of the UFC. “I called [the Fertittas] and said, ‘I think this thing’s in trouble, I think we can buy the UFC,’ and a month later we owned the company.”

Lorenzo Fertitta recalled years later that when he bought the UFC, his lawyers couldn’t grasp the purchase, asking him exactly what he was getting in exchange for the large sale price.

“I had my attorneys tell me that I was crazy because I wasn’t buying anything. I was paying $2 million and they were saying 'What are you getting?'" he told Fighter’s Only in 2009.

The owner called the promotion a “never-ending black hole” that kept absorbing his checks as fast as he could write them.

However, with the company now under their belt, White and the Fertittas began plotting how to get the business profitable and started their journey to get sanctioned in flourishing markets.

The Trump Taj Mahal era

For years, the UFC was seen as a barbaric and brutal sport not fit for regular consumption. Different fighting organizations had different rules that were deemed too violent by many jurisdictions.

Visions of knee and soccer kicks to the heads of downed opponents were visions that the new owners had to erase from the minds of legislators.

Therefore, legendary UFC referee John McCarthy worked as part of a group of experienced martial arts experts who met with different governing bodies to establish a set of rules.

The tipping point was when the group teamed up with the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board to create unified mixed martial arts rules.

'They couldn’t get a venue because of the danger.'

As MMAWeekly noted, this took place in September 2000.

By the time the Fertittas and White took over in January 2001, the UFC had already held one sanctioned event in New Jersey; UFC 28 on November 17, 2000, at the Trump Taj Mahal.

Soon, two more events would take place at the Trump-backed arena: UFC 30 in February 2001 and UFC 31 in May 2001.

Trump talked about the beginning of his relationship with the UFC owners in a 2023 interview with former UFC champion Matt Serra, who fought at one of the Trump Taj Mahal events.

“I respected Dana a lot,” Trump began. “[The UFC] couldn’t get a venue because of the danger. People thought it was so dangerous — and they happened to be right about that — but they couldn't get a venue and I supplied them with a venue.”

White said the same in 2016, telling the Republican National Convention that arenas refused to host UFC events, and nobody took them seriously.

White and the Fertittas knew, however, that although their events were welcomed in New Jersey — and other smaller markets like the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut — they needed to get their shows sanctioned in Nevada under the unified rules.

“It was perceived as being just like death,” Trump continued. “So a lot of the athletic commissions wouldn't do it, and owners wouldn't do it, and they couldn't get venues, and I gave them venues early on.”

Donald Trump and musician Kid Rock at UFC 287 in Miami.Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Trump provided what would become a launching pad for the UFC to prove, under the New Jersey unified rules, that the UFC could be mainstream, professional, and safe, and therefore become recognized by official governing bodies.

The new rules helped the UFC’s image greatly. Fighters now had to wear trunks, specific gloves, and were not permitted to wear any other attire (UFC fighters used to be allowed to wear shoes, gis, and even shirts).

New weight classes were also implemented, from flyweight (125 pounds) all the way up to super heavyweight (over 265 pounds). The latter has only been used once by the UFC, at UFC 28 at the Trump Taj Mahal.

From October 2000 all the way until late June 2021, the Trump Taj Mahal was the only U.S. venue to put on a UFC event.

During this time, the State Athletic Control Board of New Jersey held a meeting to discuss the regulation of mixed martial arts events. Nick Lembo, counsel to the SACB, recalled that the April 2001 meeting proposed uniform rules that were to be agreed upon by several “regulatory bodies, numerous promoters of mixed martial arts events and other interested parties.”

All parties allegedly signed off on the uniform set of rules, with the anticipation of more regulatory bodies adapting them soon thereafter.

Nevada was among the jurisdictions to subsequently adopt the unified rules, and by September 2001, the UFC was hosting its first sanctioned event in Las Vegas.

UFC 33 marked a turn for the company, and while White said years later that “every fight” on the card “sucked,” the event sold out and returned to Pay-Per-View with 75,000 buys.

Modern influence

UFC President Dana White at the Republican National ConventionPhoto by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Now, despite over 200 events in Las Vegas, Trump is still sitting cage-side during many of the organization’s most monumental moments.

His appearances at the events have become headline-makers in their own right, as outlets anticipate which personalities will appear in his entourage and what role their relationship may play in his politics.

“I knew you were a fan,” Serra told Trump in 2024.

Serra recalled that even though UFC 32 was held at the Meadowlands in New Jersey — not the Trump Taj Mahal — Trump was still in the audience.

That love of the sport is not only felt by the fans but by the fighters, as well.

Near limitless UFC athletes have voiced public support for the president in recent years, perhaps most notably Colby Covington, who adopted a “Make America Great Again” hat in 2018.

That support has grown to the biggest athletes in the sport, including heavyweight champion Jon Jones, former “Baddest” UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, and perpetual contender Michael Chandler.

'Donald championed the UFC before it was popular.'

White himself has explained that his fighters relate to the president for the same reasons Americans do; he is a person who uplifts himself and others around him, often persevering when odds are stacked against him.

“Trump Donald was the first guy that recognized the potential that we saw in the UFC and encouraged us to build our business,” White said in 2016. “He dealt with us personally, he got in the trenches with us, and he made a deal that worked for everyone.”

“Donald championed the UFC before it was popular, before it grew into a successful business, and I will always be grateful ... so grateful to him for standing with us in those early days.”

The UFC now promotes Trump with his own entrance videos and has him walk to his seat as if he is about to fight. Broadcasts feature like-minded celebrities throughout the entire show as part of an ever-growing ecosystem of influencers that has been built between his two administrations.

This relationship between the presidents of both the UFC and the United States appears to be mutually beneficial, but in terms of influence, Trump’s early adoption of the sport seems to be paying dividends.

Conor McGregor removed from Hitman video game after losing sexual assault case



Conor McGregor was removed from popular online game Hitman after he was found liable for sexual assault by a jury in a civil case.

McGregor, who plans to appeal the decision, will have to pay more than $262,000 (€250,000) to the victim. Nikita Hand filed a civil suit in early 2021 alleging that while intoxicated, McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, had sex with her without her consent in 2018. Criminal charges were not pursued.

IO Interactive, the developer of the Hitman game, reacted promptly after the verdict, announcing that it was removing the former UFC champion from the game.

"In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately," the company wrote on X. "We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr. McGregor from our storefronts starting today."

— (@)

McGregor took to his social media the day following the verdict and apologized to his wife.

"People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world," McGregor wrote.

The fighter continued, "That's all on me. As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath."

McGregor added that he has instructed his legal team to appeal the decision and that he must "move forward," not back.

"I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side. That's it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!"

— (@)

McGregor is part of a paid, downloadable content pack in which gamers take on a mission to assassinate him before or while he is engaging in a fight to the death against an eccentric billionaire on an island-castle surrounded by an elite secret society.

In recent years, McGregor has had many run-ins with law enforcement across the world. He has engaged in shattering bus windows and allegedly attacked fans in separate incidents in both Florida and Ireland.

He was accused of assaulting an Italian musician in Rome and a woman on his yacht in Spain. Other allegations of sexual assault have been dropped against the fighter, as well.

While it will be interesting to see if the IO Interactive team reinstates McGregor should the verdict be overturned, there will always be questions as to whether or not he should have been included in the game at all if his out-of-the-Octagon troubles were the reason for taking him out.

McGregor has another court battle on the horizon. His former training partner Artem Lobov is suing him over the creation of his popular whiskey Proper Twelve, saying the liquor brand was originally his idea, the Irish Star reported.

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The Left Seethes At Trump’s Triumph As A Cultural Icon

The Left Seethes At Trump’s Triumph As A Cultural Icon

'Mimicking president-elect Donald Trump's dance moves looks dumb in the moment,' read a recent op-ed in USA Today.

'You cannot beat father time': Fans criticize retired UFC champs who will return for comeback fight



Two former light heavyweight UFC champions will come out of retirement to box each other, one of the fighters revealed.

Rashad Evans announced that he will compete in a boxing match with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, saying that he's "jumped into training camp" for a bout in early 2025.

"We're looking to do it potentially at the end of February, and it's most likely going to be here in Florida. We're going to do a boxing match," Evans said.

Evans explained that while he could be "done with it all" and enjoy his life, he would "always wonder" if he should have had a boxing match.

Now 45, Evan last fought in mixed martial arts in 2022 but hasn't consistently competed since 2018.

Jackson, 46, hasn't had an MMA fight since 2019.

Upon hearing the announcement, fans reacted poorly, especially given how Jackson has looked in his most recent fights. For his 2019 fight against Fedor Emelianenko, fans felt Jackson looked sluggish and out of shape on his way to receiving a first round TKO loss.

Reactions were even worse this time around across social media platforms.

"I understand you need some money but the young fighters put on the best show. You cannot beat father time," a fan wrote on YouTube.

"I’m tired of watching the elderly fight," another viewer wrote.

On X, readers responded to ab article on the topic with comments like "Please don't" and "no one wants this."

Please don't.
— Pinballchef (@pinballchef) November 21, 2024

"I have less than zero interest in this fight," another reader said.

Some referenced the recent Mike Tyson boxing fight, who, at 58 years old, was clearly too old to fight competitively.

"Please stop old guys from fighting. Tyson should have been the straw that broke the camels back."

please stop old guys from fighting. Tyson should have been the straw that broke the camels back
— Master Chief (@BasedSierra117) November 20, 2024

'There's nothing better than getting another chance to fight “Rampage.”’

Evans continued, saying that his opponent Jackson is in good shape and ready for a fight.

"Boxing is something I'm a huge fan of and there's nothing better than getting another chance to fight 'Rampage.' [He] is in pretty good shape right now," Evans told MMA Fighting. "He was getting ready for Shannon 'The Cannon' [Briggs] so he's in pretty good shape. I want to get a chance to do it again with [him]."

Jackson also participated in a gimmick fight in 2023, where he had a tandem two-on-two boxing match alongside UFC legend Bob Sapp.

Evans too has kept himself in good shape and has been noticeably trim while working as an MMA broadcaster.

The two fighters had one match against each other in the UFC in 2010. Evans won the fight by unanimous decision.

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UFC’s Jon Jones presents Trump with championship belt following victory — MAGA rejoices, while libs give Trump a new name



Last weekend, UFC legend Jon “Bones” Jones defended his heavyweight title, defeating Stipe Miocic with a crushing kick to the ribs that tumbled the former heavyweight champion in the third round.

Following his victory, Jones shocked the audience by doing the iconic Donald dance while the president-elect watched in his usual front-row seat. Several allies, including Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, Vivek Ramaswamy, RFK Jr., and House Speaker Mike Johnson accompanied Trump, adding to the spectacle.

But the hype was just getting started. Jones then presented his belt to Donald Trump, as UFC fans went ballistic with excitement before re-entering the Octagon for an equally shocking post-match interview with Joe Rogan.

“I want to acknowledge Jesus Christ. I tell you what, man — I cannot take credit for a gift like this, man. I really owe it all to him. And I know that there's millions of people around the world watching right now, and I just want to let you guys know that Jesus loves you so much,” Jones said.

“Blaze News Tonight” host Jill Savage and Blaze News editor in chief Matthew Peterson invite Steve Kim, BlazeTV contributor to "Fearless," on the show to discuss a most remarkable night.

Steve says that what Jones did in the Octagon on Saturday night is part of the new precedent that’s been set following Trump’s re-election: Athletes are “coming out of the closet.”

Steve repurposes this phrase to refer to how “athletes seem to be liberated in a lot of respects post November 5” regarding sharing “their own beliefs,” whether related to culture, religion, or politics.

Jones, in a matter of seconds, was candid about where he stood on at least two of those.

“He just hit the grand slam,” praises Steve. “It's amazing that MAGA is something that people are very proud to expose and to exhibit, and I think it's great to see.”

When it comes to Jones presenting Trump with his belt, Peterson says that “many people said, whether they praised it or whether they hated it, this looked like a gladiator in the arena going to the emperor.”

One reporter likened Trump to Julius Caesar following the event.

“This is sort of the conquering Republican Caesar who’s going into the Colosseum and everyone‘s cheering, and he‘s got his political gladiators with him," said CNN’s Marc Caputo, adding that Trump was “sending a message to the Senate.”

“Donald Trump has had the greatest personality arc in about a month. He went from Adolf Hitler to Julius Caesar,” laughs Steve.

To hear more of the conversation, watch the clip above.

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'Everybody's tired of the bulls***': UFC Pres. Dana White says media and politicians are 'most hated people' in the world



UFC President Dana White explained that he believes Donald Trump won the 2024 election in the same manner he has built his brands.

During the post-fight press conference for UFC 309, White was asked what effect the election of Trump will have on his company, given that so many of his fighters relate to the president.

At the event, multiple fighters spoke to Trump ringside, including heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who even thanked the president and handed him his belt.

"If you saw the election, the entire country relates with Trump right now," White said, noting Trump's swing-state victories. "It feels like somebody hit the reset button."

White added that his feeling was that the electorate wanted a "blowout" for one candidate or the other in order to avoid any discrepancies in which direction to take the country in.

"I think everybody's tired of the bulls***, man. We're all tired, we all just want to live our lives, and run our businesses, and raise our families," the CEO went on.

'Nobody trusts them and nobody believes them.'

Acknowledging that most of the media members in front of him weren't Trump supporters, White carved out Trump's path to victory, describing that it was through nontraditional means.

Explaining his "philosophy," White said he has created relationships with online influencers and podcasters for years, allowing him to circumvent traditional media, which he said is greatly disliked by voters.

"The two most-hated people in this world right now; the media and the politicians. Nobody trusts them and nobody believes them," White claimed.

The method of directly speaking to voters through podcasts, influencers, and social media is the exact same methodology that built White's slap-fighting brand, Power Slap.

"The way Power Slap was built is the way this election was won," the 55-year-old said.

UFC/YouTube

White described the difference he has seen in major "blue" cities like New York leading up to and after the election; citing experiences where random people are running up to him and offering their thanks.

This, coupled with a positive shift in energy, is what has led to the feeling of a "weight that's been lifted off the country."

"Things are already getting better [Trump's] not even in there yet," White said.

Trump has been heralded for his embrace of new media. Appearances on podcasts with comedians like Joe Rogan, Theo Von, and young influencers like the Nelk Boys and Adin Ross no doubt led to 18-29-year-olds showing up at the polls.

Exit polls showed huge gains among young men for Trump, where he won by 14 points over Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump also made gains with young female voters and increased his support by seven points over 2020 from 33% to 40%.

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'I'm proud to be a Christian American champion': UFC's Jon Jones brings God and America to forefront after stunning victory



UFC legend and champion Jon Jones made it a point to make his faith and pride in America front and center after retaining his championship.

On Saturday, Jones defended his heavyweight belt against former champion Stipe Miocic in a three-round TKO win at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Following Jones' win, announcer Joe Rogan quickly asked about how his opponent stacked up against previous title challengers.

"It's very discouraging to hit somebody that's not reacting," Jones said of Miocic, praising his resilience and toughness.

Rogan then got the crowd screaming when he asked about a possible fight between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall. Jones took advantage of the crowd's enthusiasm.

"You know what? While I got the moment, while everybody's cheering and so happy, I want to acknowledge Jesus Christ," Jones said to a large roar.

"I tell you what, man. I cannot take credit for a gift like this, man. I really owe it all to him, and I know that there's millions of people around the world watching right now, and I just want to let you guys know that Jesus loves you so much! That's all I'll say about that," Jones added.

UFC/YouTUbe

'I'm proud to be a great American champion.'

Jones also praised President Donald Trump — who was ringside for the main card — and emulated the politician's famous dance moves both immediately after his victory and again during his interview with Rogan.

Jones pointed to the president and said, "I also want to say a big, big thank-you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight."

"I'm proud to be a great American champion; I'm proud to be a Christian American champion," he continued.

Jones is likely the biggest UFC star ever to put such focus on his Christianity on such a big stage, and he did so multiple times.

Along with starting a massive "U-S-A!" chant in the arena, the timing of Jones' comments seemed perfect given the energy of the crowd and the presence of the Trump family and entourage.

Former Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and musician Kid Rock all surrounded Trump throughout the night.

Jones later exited the cage to shake hands with Trump and Elon Musk, who was also in the audience.

Another Christian and Trump supporter, lightweight Michael Chandler, fought in the stunning co-main event. However, his post-fight remarks were limited to calling out UFC legend Conor McGregor, asking him when he will return to the Octagon.

"Are you not entertained?!" Chandler yelled. "We're wondering where you've been, Conor, come back and beat me!"

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Crowd Roared for Joe Rogan’s Response to Trump Hugging Him at UFC Event

Crowd Roared for Joe Rogan’s Response to Trump Hugging Him at UFC Event

Crucible of champions: The isolated region that breeds the UFC's stone-cold killers



At UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, Khamzat Chimaev, a beast from Chechnya, showed the world why he’s becoming one of the most feared men in mixed martial arts.

Known for his brutal, relentless style and the nickname “Borz” (“wolf” in Chechen), Chimaev didn’t just beat former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker — he tore through him with a ruthless efficiency that left fans stunned. Within minutes, Whittaker — a fighter known for his strength and skill — was battered, his jaw tested by vicious strikes.

From a young age, boys learn to endure cold, navigate difficult terrain, and face challenges head-on. They don’t just hear stories of heroes; they are expected to become them.

Whittaker wasn’t just outclassed. He was embarrassed, thrown around like a cheap rag doll.

But to truly grasp the depth of Chimaev’s dominance, one has to understand where he comes from and what fuels him.

Where champions are made

The North Caucasus is a place synonymous with survival. These rugged mountains, shadowed by centuries of struggle, breed people with an iron sense of identity. No trans madness here. No teaching children that there are 700 different genders.

In places like Dagestan and Chechnya, where empires and Soviet boots once pressed down, boys aren’t just taught to fight; they’re taught to endure, to dominate, to win at all costs.

Fighting here isn’t recreation; it’s in the blood. It is, for many, a ticket to a better life.

While kids in the U.S. are glued to screens, boys here are rolling on mats, learning skills that build character and raw strength. Sure, they shed a tear — they are children, after all — but quickly wipe them away and resume training.

In America and other affluent Western nations, parents often cushion their children against the hard knocks of reality. Playgrounds are rubber-padded, and competitive games come with participation trophies. Schools emphasize positive reinforcement and conflict resolution through dialogue. Safety and self-expression are the goals.

But only a fool would deny that this soft approach has eroded the concept of toughness. Children in the U.S. and beyond, especially boys, are becoming weaker, both mentally and physically.

Contrast this with the North Caucasus, where raising boys is less about emotional insulation and more about preparing them for an unforgiving world. Here, childhood is not an insulated period of delicate growth; it’s an initiation into manhood.

From a young age, boys learn to endure cold, navigate difficult terrain, and face challenges head-on. They don’t just hear stories of heroes; they are expected to become them. The bar for what constitutes “soft” or “hard” is drawn starkly differently than in America.

In the North Caucasus region, by the age of 10 a boy has already practiced wrestling in the dirt and spent cold nights learning survival skills outdoors. Here, every boy is like a mini Joe Rogan, minus the tattoos and impressive bank balance. Failure is seen as part of learning, not something to be avoided. The experience is grueling but purposeful — the expectation is to grow tough enough to shoulder family and community responsibilities.

This isn’t cruelty; it’s preparation. Preparation for greatness.

Epitome of greatness

One cannot speak about greatness without discussing Khabib Nurmagomedov. To the people of Dagestan, he’s more than a champion. He’s a legend, revered with the same awe reserved for greats like Muhammad Ali or Michael Jordan. Khabib is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time, a man who dominated with a ferocity that broke opponents. In the Octagon, he didn’t just win titles — he took souls.

Stephen McCarthy

If in doubt, let me point you in the direction of Conor McGregor. Before stepping into the ring with Khabib, he was the brightest star in the UFC, a fighter believed to be unbeatable. A sporting icon who had elevated himself to near-mythic status, McGregor was systematically dismantled by a monster from the mountains.

The buildup to their fight was nasty, with McGregor hurling cheap shots at Khabib’s now-deceased father. However, the Irishman, then the undisputed king of trash talk, would soon find himself getting a taste of his own medicine.

The moment the bell rang, McGregor, full of his usual swagger, quickly realized he was facing a fighter intent on destruction — specifically, the destruction of him and his legacy.

Clash of civilizations

The audience, the vast majority of whom expected yet another McGregor victory, also understood they were not just watching a contest; they were witnessing a reckoning.

With each takedown, Khabib sent a message to the world. He was there to make history. His ground-and-pound wasn’t flashy, but it was brutal, precise, and mercilessly effective.

McGregor’s legendary counter-punches, the lethal strikes that had taken down countless opponents, proved useless against the relentless force of the Dagestani. Every attempt to escape failed.

Khabib was relentless, a human Terminator, there to take McGregor apart piece by piece. The Dubliner spent most of the fight flopping around like a trout on a fisherman’s deck, desperately gasping for air.

In truth, October 6, 2018, was the day the Conor McGregor we knew and loved died. He never recovered. How could he? The Grim Reaper had just visited and violated him.

While McGregor was busy nursing his bruised body and his battered ego, Khabib returned to his homeland a hero. To the young boys of Dagestan, he was — and remains — a symbol of what's possible.

Meanwhile, in the West, many boys and girls worship fleeting idols — TikTok influencers and pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter — whose fame is built on hollow trends and fake personas. They are all style and zero substance.

We often speak of being "advanced," but take a hard look at our children and ask yourself: Are we truly moving forward, or are we losing the core values that build resilience, character, and true strength? Khabib’s triumph was more than a victory — it was a reminder of what real heroes look like.

UFC's Michael Chandler says 'testosterone' and MMA are turning Mark Zuckerberg more conservative



UFC contender Michael Chandler said that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg should be welcomed into the mix of Donald Trump supporters instead of being shunned.

Chandler was asked during a panel discussion on the Patrick Bet-David podcast what kind of influence UFC fighters have on a person of Zuckerberg's stature.

"Is there s*** talking? Are you talking to him, what influence does the UFC have on him?" Bet-David asked.

Chandler noted that he met the Meta CEO at a UFC event and said that while he and Zuckerberg are on "different ends" of the political spectrum, he still believes in catching bees with honey as opposed to vinegar.

'That testosterone started going through the roof ... he realized what being a sovereign individual means.'

"There should be a little bit of accountability, right, but also a guy like Zuck has a very, very heavy hand. A guy like Zuck has a lot of influence," Chandler noted, implying he could be helpful in a push for greater freedom.

In terms of Zuckerberg possibly becoming more conservative, Chandler chalked it up to Zuckerberg's recent obsession with jiujitsu and mixed martial arts training.

"I just think Zuck started training, that testosterone started going through the roof ... he realized what being a sovereign individual means. You don't know how not sovereign you are until you stand in front of a man, and he beats the crap out of you, and then you pick yourself back up and you do it again, or you get choked out and then you got to get up and do it again."

Chandler continued, "I think Zuck has started to realize that, and now he's starting to lean over [to the right] a little bit."

Former UFC title holder Jorge Masvidal was asked to chime in on the panel as well and explained that martial arts training does wonders for the ego.

"Whether you win or lose, you kind of walk into a room, and you don't feel you have an ego as much, and I think that definitely helps and like Mike was saying, once you get your butt kicked a couple times, it really makes you humble, and it makes you see life a different way."

Masvidal added that money in the bank doesn't mean anything when "someone's on top of your face punching your teeth in."

"I think [Zuckerberg] training has just brought [out] that side of him, and also I think how rapidly the country was deteriorating was probably the biggest thing he saw."

Zuckerberg has famously won a gold medal and a silver medal in jiujitsu tournaments in Silicon Valley in May 2023 and is on record telling comedian Joe Rogan in 2020 that he has experience in tae kwon do, karate, and judo.

For a short time, Zuckerberg and Elon Musk had agreed to a fight in a UFC cage causing the Facebook boss to take lessons with prominent UFC fighters. The fight has not been talked about in 2024, however.

In terms of the political leanings of the UFC fighters, Chandler said that when fighters are locked in a cage with nobody to help, they tend to take a "different mentality."

Chandler also joked that he thought UFC star Conor McGregor was "voting for Kamala [Harris]" and that's why their fight was canceled.

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