Red Canvas: How Politics Are Becoming a Part of MMA
It’s no secret that the UFC has been turning towards Republican politics. The prime example of this would, of course, be UFC Freedom 250. What could be a better example of a company with close ties to the Trump administration than one whose biggest card is hosted by that administration? That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. UFC president Dana White endorsed Trump in his second bid for the presidency, and republican celebrities like Kid Rock are frequently in attendance. When Trump attends fights, as he often does, he’s greeted with thunderous applause, even in blue strongholds like New York City. The UFC is only the tip of the iceberg, though.
Outside of the UFC, one card is creating a buzz. Rousey Vs. Carano has an unusual amount of hype behind it for a card outside MMA’s premier promotion. Ronda Rousey was at one point one of the most popular combat sports athletes on the planet, and Gina Carano became notorious, first for her role as an actor in roles like Disney’s The Mandalorian, and then for comparing being a republican in the United States to being Jewish during the holocaust. Also on the card is former heavyweight king Francis ‘The Predator’ Ngannou, who’s taking on the relatively unknown Felipe Lins, and under that a matchup between legendary brawlers Nate Diaz and Mike Perry. With the event being hosted for free on Netflix, it’s likely to draw a great deal of eyes.
Behind all that and in a much greater capacity than Carano’s remarks, there’s a significant connection between the Trump administration and this card, too. Jake Paul, who fought Mike Tyson, Anthony Joshua, and both parties of the Diaz vs. Perry fight, is a co-owner of Most Valuable Promotions, which is responsible for the production of the card. Paul has long been associated with the ‘manosphere’ that has often mirrored conservative ideologies, but now there’s a concrete link between Paul and Trump. Shockingly, Trump endorsed Paul for future office at a rally, solidifying the connection between the two. Even outside the UFC, large MMA events are associated with President Trump.
