Sports Podcaster Criticizes Democrats for Disconnect with Male-Dominated MMA Community

MMA podcaster and combat sports analyst Luke Thomas didn’t hold back during an interview with CNN reporter Audie Cornish on Wednesday. He bluntly claimed that Democrats are virtually absent in the fighting community, leaving the field wide open for Republicans to dominate. To him, this disconnect isn't just a cultural oversight—it's a political misstep.

"I mean, listen, young men, through this MMA conduit, this is an important constituency, to be quite honest with you," Thomas stated. "You can like that fact, or you can hate that fact, but it’s a reality, and it’s now a substantial portion of a deciding factor of the electorate as well." Translation: ignore this group at your own political peril.

It’s no secret that Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, have capitalized on the connection between combat sports and their voter base. Trump himself has made multiple appearances at UFC events alongside UFC CEO Dana White, a staunch ally who recently visited the White House with Kid Rock and comedian Bill Maher. It’s like a political power play wrapped in a pay-per-view spectacle.

When Cornish asked Thomas whether Democrats have any presence in the world of MMA or combat sports, his response was a candid reality check. "I mean, I‘m not a Democrat, but you‘re looking at it," he said, referring to himself. "The reality is the left has almost no relationship whatsoever to this audience. It feels to me... they have punted on them." Ouch.

Thomas didn’t stop there. He pointed out that Democrats don’t need to embrace every nuance of the fighting community but should at least show up. "It’s a very simple question," he said. "Does this constituency matter? Does this portion of the electorate matter? If you want to win elections going forward… focusing on young men seems fairly essential." He’s got a point—ignoring an entire demographic that loves high-energy combat sports could be a missed opportunity.

Meanwhile, UFC boss Dana White is expanding the organization’s global reach, recently announcing a boxing promotion in Saudi Arabia. Clearly, the UFC isn’t just staying in its lane—it’s creating new ones.

Thomas wrapped up his critique with a suggestion that Democrats start with some serious self-reflection. "Why did they lose this audience to begin with? And what can they do to recapture it?" he asked. Well, if you ask me, a good first step might be not writing off an entire group just because they like a little ground-and-pound action on Saturday nights.