UFC Freedom 250: Politics disguised as entertainment

In the course of his second run, U.S. President Donald Trump gained a number of diverse supporters.

Musical artists, Hollywood actors, bloggers, and ordinary people alike bend over backwards to praise the commander-in-chief.

And there is one person who has been showing this level of devotion for decades — long before Trump’s populist-hype machine started to pump its gears.

His name is Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) — the biggest and, perhaps, greatest mixed-martial arts (MMA) promotion in the world.

Trump is well known for enjoying the brutal sports, and not just because it bolsters his political image.

In its early days, MMA wasn’t even a legal professional sport recognized by certain countries’ and states’ athletic commissions, since it did not have any rules.

People could fight each other in any style and weren’t restrained from doing anything to gain victory. The loose limitations and ultimate freedom enabled fighters to produce some absolutely vicious highlights.

White would not have been able to achieve the same heights of success if it weren’t for Trump’s support during the early days of the company — when MMA was a niche phenomenon, existing in the shadow of other martial arts giants like boxing and wrestling.

When the league was on the verge of financial collapse at the turn of the millennium, Trump allowed it to organize tournaments at his luxurious casino, the Trump Taj Mahal. Becoming the unofficial benefactor of the UFC, he earned the unwavering support of White.

The culmination of this long-lasting friendship is the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, which takes place on June 14.

The fights will take place on the South Lawn of the White House, and 85,000 free tickets will be available for people to watch them at the nearby Ellipse.

But while a large portion of the MMA community already celebrates the upcoming tournament, there are those who do not share the same admiration — and with them I strongly side.

As a fan of the sport, I’m utterly disappointed that White, who had previously denounced any political affiliation, is now allowing Trump to use his organization as a tool for propaganda.

Desperate to emerge triumphant from the upcoming mid-term elections, Trump intends to win more support from a crowd that is growing unsatisfied with his controversial policies.

UFC Freedom 250 is one of the many moves to boost the president’s popularity among the younger voters. Under the facade of entertainment, Trump is making a statement in line with Roman dictators.

The tournament, which coincides with Trump’s birthday and Flag Day, is supposed to embody his limitless power and far-reaching influence. Its symbolism is even more significant amid the ongoing war in Iran.

Trump saved the UFC from falling into bankruptcy. Now, it’s time for White to return the favour.