When Donald Trump was warned against attending Conor McGregor's historic UFC 205 feat
Donald Trump was once reportedly cautioned against attending a high-profile Conor McGregor-headlined UFC event. The incident transpired a few years ago. Trump, a prominent US-based billionaire and celebrity, ran for the office of the POTUS (President of the United States) back in 2016.
Before the election results were declared that November, Trump apparently told UFC president (now UFC CEO) Dana White that he'd attend the UFC 205 event if he won the elections. McGregor was to headline the event.
Well, Trump was declared the winner of the 2016 POTUS elections. White then hinted that political obligations might prevent the President-elect from attending the Conor McGregor-starring UFC 205. The UFC boss said:
"Listen, no pressure to come ... but it wouldn't s**k if he came."
The UFC 205 (Nov. 12, 2016) event marked the promotion's first show at the iconic Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City, New York, USA, after MMA was legalized in New York. The card's headlining match was a lightweight super-fight between then-UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and then-UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor.
The co-headliner was a UFC welterweight title fight between then-champion Tyron Woodley and challenger Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson. The third title matchup had then-UFC women's strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk defending her belt against Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
McGregor ended up winning via second-round TKO and achieved the feat of becoming the first-ever simultaneous two-division UFC champion.
The New York Post reported that per law enforcement sources, the US Secret Service didn't want Donald Trump to attend UFC 205 due to security concerns. Rather than the President-elect, his son Donald Trump Jr. attended the event at MSG. Trump later attended multiple UFC events during his time as POTUS as well as after his term.
Trump shares a close relationship with Dana White, who's credited the veteran businessperson for extensively supporting the UFC during its initial years. White is also set to introduce Trump at the upcoming Republican National Convention.
Donald Trump survives assassination attempt in 2024, elicits a response from Conor McGregor
Donald Trump served as the POTUS from Jan. 20, 2017, to Jan. 20, 2021. He lost the 2020 elections to the current POTUS, Joe Biden. Heading into the Nov. 2024 presidential elections, the Republican Party's Trump and the Democratic Party's Biden are viewed as the top candidates.
During Trump's political rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, an individual attempted to assassinate him. Videos of the attack show that Trump was struck on the ear. US law enforcement claims that the shooter was immediately neutralized and that the former president is safe.
During the incident, Trump appeared to touch his right ear and duck after what sounded like a gunshot. Secret Service agents immediately shielded him. The bleeding ex-president rose to his feet and pumped his fist in the air, signaling his resilience. Security swiftly ushered him into his vehicle.
Conor McGregor, whose opinion about Trump has changed over the years, has now commended him for his apparent bravery. He opined that while most elderly billionaire entrepreneurs simply enjoy life, the 78-year-old is braving bullets and running for POTUS because of his love for America.
Furthermore, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, who are expected to fight this year, showcased momentary amity and praised Trump in the wake of the assassination attempt.