UFC’s Dana White tells RNC Donald Trump ‘will fight for this country’

UFC President Dana White spoke in support of Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump on Tuesday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, telling the supportive crowd, “Donald Trump is a fighter and I know he will fight for this country.”

White recounted how after his close friend and former UFC chairman Lorenzo Fertitta purchased the company in 2001 for $2 million, Trump was supportive of staging UFC fights at his property in Atlantic City.

The UFC struggled to win support from state athletic commissions in the early days, gaining New Jersey and California before Nevada and a slew of others along the way until New York became the final state to allow mixed martial arts this year.

Earlier this month, UFC sold to Beverly Hills talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion, with White remaining in his president’s role.

Tuesday, the deep appreciation for that early support was noted in White’s speech, which began minutes after House Speaker Paul Ryan confirmed Trump as the Republican nominee.

“I’m sure most of you are wondering, ‘What are you doing here?’ ” White said. “I am not a politician. I am a fight promoter. But I was blown away and honored to be invited here tonight and I wanted to show up and tell you about my friend, Donald Trump -- the Donald Trump that I know.”

White said upon the UFC purchase it was considered “a blood sport,” with commissions and arenas not interested in partnering.

“Nobody took us seriously,” White said. “Except Donald Trump.

“Donald was the first to recognize the potential that we saw in the UFC, and encouraged us to build our business, hosting our first two events at his venue.

“He dealt with us personally, got in the trenches with us, and he made a deal that worked for everyone. On top of that, he showed up for our fight on Saturday night and sat in the first row. Yeah, he’s that guy. He shows up.

“Donald championed the UFC before it was popular, before it grew into a successful business and I will always be so grateful to him for standing with us in those early days. So tonight, I stand with Donald Trump.”

The Fertitta family, which own Nevada’s Station Casinos, is a significant contributor to Trump and Republican political action committees.

White said Trump’s “business instincts” will help strengthen “the backbone” of the economy, adding his work ethic and people skills will allow him “to put in the time to get things done.”

The personal touch also matters, White said.

“For 15 years, Donald Trump has been a loyal and supportive friend. I’ve known if I needed Donald, he would be there for me, just like he was when I first met him,” White said. “He’s one of these guys who’ll call to say, ‘Good luck with the fight, I’m going to be watching.’

“He always reaches out to me when something happens with my career.”

In 2011, after the UFC signed a seven-year, $700-million deal with Fox to televise fights, White said Trump sent him a New York Times signed, writing, “Congratulations, Dana, I always knew you were gonna do it.”

“In my opinion, you can really tell a person’s true character, when they’re happy for somebody else’s success,” White said. “That sense of loyalty and commitment will translate to how he’ll run the country.

“And let’s be honest, folks. We need somebody who believes in this country, we need somebody who’s proud of this country and who will fight for this country.

“I’ve been in the fight business my whole life. And I know fighters.”