Dana White Reveals How Donald Trump Played an Instrumental Role in the Success of the UFC – EssentiallySports

UFC is not just the biggest MMA promotion, but it is one of the biggest brands in the world. It has a huge fan following, and it just seems to keep growing. UFC President Dana White is the reason for the success that the UFC has found.

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However, it wasnt always like this. When White (and the Fertitta brothers) bought the promotion back in 2001, they struggled to get the eyeballs on the sport, and few venues wanted to entertain them. They struggled to break even on their investment, but there was one man that supported them from day one.

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According to Dana White, Donald Trump was that guy. In a recent interview, White praised the former U.S. President. He said, When we first bought this thing, this thing had such a bad stigma attached to it that venues didnt even want us to come there He got it, he loved it, and he said wed love to have you at the Taj Mahal. Cut us a great deal, showed up for the first fight of the night, and stayed till the last fight of the night. Watched the whole show, both the shows that we at the Taj.

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And then after that, every good thing that ever happened to me in my career, Trump would reach out, out of the blue. And say congratulations, Im so happy for you. I knew you guys were going to make it. Couldnt be a nicer guy, he added.

Donald Trump has always been one of the main benefactors of the UFC and Dana White. He was there for the company when they needed support to find their feet. Once, when Trump called the UFC president to speak at one of his conventions, White obliged.

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White said, He calls me up and says, I would like you to speak for me at the convention. Everybody and I mean f***ing everybody told me not to do it Im like, Are you crazy, man? Just for the record, when Trump called me he said, Uh, listen, if you dont want to do this, I completely understand. Its no big deal. But I would be honored if you would speak at the convention.

Yeah, theres no f***ing way in hell Im not doing that for him. Then once I spoke, you know, our friendship went to a whole another level.

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Watch this story: Top 5 Biggest Rivalries in the History of the UFC

What do you think of Donald Trumps gesture to the UFC in its initial days? Let us know in the comments!

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Dana White Reveals How Donald Trump Played an Instrumental Role in the Success of the UFC - EssentiallySports