Trump Steals Spotlight at UFC 316 in Newark, Fighter Celebrates with Him

NEWARK, N.J. — The Prudential Center erupted in a deafening ovation Saturday night as President Donald Trump strutted into UFC 316, arm-in-arm with UFC CEO Dana White. The sold-out crowd at "The Rock" greeted Trump with fervor, his signature dance igniting cheers as he made his way ringside, high-fiving fans along the way.

Accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ivanka Trump, the president soaked in the electric atmosphere. Notably absent was Elon Musk, whose recent social media spat with Trump has raised eyebrows. The two have traded barbs online, with Musk’s absence from the Newark event underscoring their ongoing feud.

The night wasn’t just about politics. After a thrilling victory, California’s Kevin Holland submitted Brazil’s Vicente Luque, then leaped from the octagon to shake Trump’s hand, exchanging words in a moment that captured the crowd’s attention. Such interactions have become a hallmark of Trump’s UFC appearances, echoing his warm reception at UFC 314 in Miami.

Trump’s New Jersey visit wasn’t all cage-side fanfare. Earlier, he rallied support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli ahead of Tuesday’s primary, urging voters to back his endorsed pick to "Make New Jersey Great Again."

As the main event looms, all eyes are on the rematch between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili, promising another chapter in their heated rivalry. Saturday’s spectacle proved once again that Trump’s presence at UFC is as much a cultural phenomenon as the fights themselves.