Not many people know that Donald Trump – former US president, businessman, and media personality – is also one of the early-day backers of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
But why did he support the UFC ever since its beginnings?
Matt Serra had the same question for Trump in a recent interview. Here is what he replied with:
Somehow I got to know Dana [White]. And the whole group of people who were into the UFC.
And I respected them and I respected Dana, a lot…Incredible people, smart people, and good people too.
And they couldn’t get a venue because of the danger.
Because of the perceived (and real) danger of the sport, the UFC was struggling to find a place to host their fights at.
So Trump provided them with a solution:
You know, people thought it was so dangerous, and they couldn’t get a venue…
I supplied them with a venue.And I think it was for a few of the fights, maybe even 5 early fights.
In those days, the danger [of fighting in MMA] was perceived like, just, death. So, a lot of the athletic commissions wouldn’t do it. And the owners wouldn’t do it.
And they couldn’t get venues and I gave them venues, early on.
Needless to say, it all paid off in the long run:
And it’s an incredible thing.
Because, both Dana and that great group of investors, they appreciated it.
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