UFC Fighter’s Encounter with Donald Trump Goes Viral
Former President Donald Trump made waves on Saturday night as he attended UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. RodrÃguez at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Trump, who is currently facing over 30 felony counts of business fraud, had a memorable encounter with South African fighter Dricus du Plessis that quickly went viral.
Du Plessis, a middleweight fighter, wasted no time in his fight on Saturday night. He impressively defeated Robert Whittaker via TKO in the second round. After securing the victory, du Plessis hopped the cage to approach the former President. Trump, seated next to UFC President Dana White, stood up and warmly greeted the fighter with a handshake.
This encounter not only garnered attention because of the high-profile individuals involved, but also because du Plessis is not the first nor the last UFC fighter to seek proximity to Donald Trump. As a result, the action itself was not particularly surprising, but it certainly captured the public’s interest once video footage began circulating.
Du Plessis’ win improved his fighting record to an impressive 20-2-0. Leading up to this victory, he had defeated Derek Brunson at UFC 285 in March and has not lost a fight since his debut with the MMA promotion in October 2020. In fact, his last MMA loss took place in October 2018 against Roberto Soldic at KSW 45.
This encounter highlights the ongoing interest and fascination with high-profile figures like Trump within the UFC community. Fighters often seek opportunities to get close to influential individuals, and Trump’s presence at UFC 290 provided that chance for du Plessis. While some may question the motives behind such interactions, it is clear that they generate significant buzz and attention – both for the fighters involved and for the sport as a whole.
As the world of mixed martial arts continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the relationship between fighters and public figures like Trump develops. While du Plessis’ encounter with the former President may have gone viral, there are certainly differing opinions within the MMA community regarding political affiliations and public displays of support.
Nevertheless, du Plessis’ impressive win and subsequent encounter with Donald Trump remain talking points in the aftermath of UFC 290. The South African fighter, who has shown great promise in his career thus far, now looks ahead to future opportunities and potential challenges in the octagon. As he continues to make his mark in the MMA world, the memory of his handshake with Trump will undoubtedly be etched in the minds of many fans and followers.
