A decade ago, before I shifted my focus to investigative journalism, I worked as a commentator for a Russian mixed martial arts league funded by an oligarch closely tied to Vladimir Putin.
The role allowed me to travel across Russia and surrounding regions, giving me access to stories I otherwise wouldn’t have encountered. I crossed paths with a Latvian fighter who had fled a mysterious cult led by his former coach, attended an event alongside the president of Ingushetia (now Russia’s deputy defense minister), and shared drinks with former KGB agents and wealthy Russian businessmen.
One particularly notable moment was when the organization tried to hold an event in Moscow’s Red Square—one of the country’s most politically sensitive locations, right next to the Kremlin. The plan was clearly an attempt to gain favor with Putin, a well-known MMA enthusiast who had attended their fights in the past.
At the time, logistical hurdles, including security concerns and bureaucratic obstacles, made the event impossible. Still, the episode stuck with me as a reminder of the politics intertwined with the sport. That memory resurfaced when the U.S. president recently announced plans to host a UFC event at the White House next year to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Speaking to supporters at a public gathering in Iowa, the president said: “Who watches UFC? The great Dana White? We’re going to have a UFC fight—right on the White House grounds. We’ve got plenty of space.”
A White House spokesperson confirmed the plan, stating that the president was fully committed to holding the event at his official residence.
This move isn’t unexpected, given the president’s long-standing ties to the UFC, its owner, and its CEO. Over the years, he has frequently attended fights, using the platform to connect with the sport’s mostly male, young audience. He has built relationships with fighters, framing himself as a figure of strength, and embraced the UFC’s bold, combative image to reinforce his defiance of political norms. This approach has contributed to reshaping politics into a mix of spectacle and confrontation.
The UFC’s CEO has publicly supported the president multiple times over the past eight years, appearing at campaign events and even traveling on official trips with him. A flattering documentary produced about the president further highlighted their relationship. And when he secured victory in the 2024 election—
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