Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at UFC 287 in Miami, Florida just days after he was indicted by a grand jury.
Former US President Trump, 76, is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offence. The investigation into Trump, who has pleaded not guilty, is looking into ‘hush-money’ payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Trump walked into the Kaseya Center at the end of Kelvin Gastelum and Chris Cutis' fight on the preliminary card of UFC 287. Fans were already in good spirits after Gastelum and Curtis put on a thrilling fight and Trump only boosted the mood of the crowd as he entered the Miami arena to a huge cheer.
Fans. began to chant "USA" when Trump walked to his seat, with the US President showing his appreciation for the warm welcome. UFC boss Dana White accompanied Trump at cageside whilst pop star Kid Rock and boxing legend Mike Tyson were also amongst the VIP entourage. Trump continued to get loud cheers from the fans even whilst the fights were taking place - and he stood up to pump his fist in a show of support for the raucous crowd.
After posing for pictures with members of the military, Trump watched closely as the UFC 287 fights unfolded through the night. In the main event of the Miami card, Israel Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight title by brutally knocking out Alex Pereira in their rematch. Pereira had already beaten Adesanya twice in kickboxing and once in MMA, but 'Stylebender' got his revenge and became a two-time UFC champion by doing so.
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Jorge Masvidal announced his UFC retirement after he was decisively beaten by Gilbert Burns in the co-main event. Masvidal racked up over 50 fights during his veteran career and still holds the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history at five seconds. Adrian Yanez was brutally knocked by Rob Font in the first round whilst Kevin Holland got back in the win column after his loss to Stephen Thompson by knocking out Santiago Ponzinibbio.
18-year-old prospect Raul Rosas Jr suffered his first UFC defeat as the youngster was beaten by Christian Rodriguez, whilst former middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum and Chris Curtis both earned $50,000 performance bonuses for their action-packed fight that Gastelum won by unanimous decision.
