In an odd mixing of sport, politics, and celebrity, TMZ announced on Friday that UFC president Dana White was endorsing Donald Trump for president of the United States.
“Yeah, Donald Trump,” said White. “When we bought this business, it was banned in most states. It wasn’t supported by the athletic commissions and no arenas wanted this thing.
“Donald Trump was the first one to have us come out at the Trump Taj Mahal. Not only did we host the events there, but he actually showed up and supported the events. You’ll never hear me say a negative thing about Donald Trump. And you know what? When we did our big Fox deal, there was a big write-up in the New York Times, on the front page. On the front page, he wrote, ‘Congratulations, Dana. I always knew you were going to do it,’ and he sent the front page to me.
“Me and Donald are cool.”
Kevin Iole reached out to White for Yahoo Sports.
“I’m a loyal person, man,” explained White. “And people who have been good to me in my life, I don’t forget and I stand by them.”
“I’m not a political guy at all, not even a little bit… Do I believe in all the things that Donald Trump believes in as far as him being a presidential candidate? No, but I’m not a political guy at all, not a little bit. I don’t support all the things he believes in, just like I don’t support every thing that any of the other candidates believe. There are things that some Democrats say I agree with and some things that I disagree with. And it’s the same with the Republicans.
“I just want the best guy, whoever that is, and my philosophy isn’t Republican or Democrat. I have no dog in this fight, and I’m not a political guy who is going out there and saying that any candidate is the guy.”
White chuckled with asked if Trump’s mean tweet about White’s friend Ronda Rousey, following Rowdy’s loss to new women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm.
“Glad to see that @RondaRousey lost her championship fight last night,” tweeted Trump. “Was soundly beaten – not a nice person!”
White is not going to let the differences between Trump and his friend get in the way of his endorsement.
“Donald Trump’s a tough business guy, man, he is,” said White. “That’s how he is.”
