Donald Trump was seen arriving at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night ahead of Leon Edwards and Colby Covington’s highly-anticipated scrap at UFC 296.
The former US President, who was attending his second UFC event in just over a month, rocked up alongside Dana White and American music legend Kid Rock before self-confessed Trump fan Covington came up short in his bid to dethrone welterweight champion Edwards.
As he made his grand entrance, Kid Rock’s 2000 hit ‘American Bad A**’ could be heard playing to welcome Trump into the arena.
And before Covington stepped into the Octagon he made sure to grab some final words of inspiration from the 77-year-old, who appeared to wish him luck before his shot at the title.
Covington has inextricably linked his personal brand with that of Trump and even planned on being walked out by him at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.
Donald Trump was seen arriving at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday for UFC 296
The former US President was attending his second UFC fight night in just over a month
This weekend Trump was in Sin City to watch one of his biggest fans challenge for the welterweight title
He was seen heading into the arena with legendary American musician Kid Rock on Saturday
Dana White had to put a block on Trump walking Colby Covington out in the main event
If he got the better of Britain’s Edwards, ‘Chaos’ even planned to have Trump put the belt around his waist in the Octagon.
In the end, however, that was not necessary as Edwards cruised to a unanimous-decision victory in a drab encounter.
Covington still made sure to shout out Trump in his post-fight speech, insisting the former President will ‘make America great again’ in the future.
UFC President Dana White had to put a block on the proposed move for Trump to walk him out into the arena.
Covington, dressed in a white suit with Trump’s face on the back and signed by the ex-president, said: ‘Dana didn’t let me walk out with Trump, logistically it is too tough.
‘He said there would be 100 secret service with him and just too much chaos. He’ll be sitting by the cage and I’ll give him a hug before I go in the Octagon.’
Edwards was asked about Covington’s idolization of Trump when the latter showed up to the presser in a suit with Trump’s mugshot printed in the back.
But Colby Covington was unable to win in front of his hero as Leon Edwards retained his UFC welterweight title
‘He needs to grow up and get a girlfriend or something,’ Edwards said.
Edwards could not contain his laughter when a reporter asked him to comment on Covington claiming that Trump will wrap the belt around his waist after beating Edwards at UFC 296 on Saturday.
‘I think the whole scenario’s weird,’ Edwards said behind a chuckle. ‘I don’t get the fascination with another man. I know he used to be the president and stuff but he’s no longer the president. ‘