MMA analyst Luke Thomas delivered a pointed criticism of UFC CEO Dana White’s recent comments about the upcoming UFC White House card. In a recent video, Thomas acussed White of misleading fans about the event’s political nature.
Thomas opened his commentary by addressing what he sees as the UFC’s transformation into a vehicle for right-wing politics. “The UFC played an absolutely instrumental role in helping Trump get back to the White House in 2024,” Thomas stated. He emphasized that the organization went far beyond typical presidential appearances at sporting events.
The analyst highlighted specific instances where the UFC supported Donald Trump, noting they “paraded this guy with his own Kid Rock music” and provided him appearances “after he was charged with federal crimes.”
Thomas was particularly critical of the UFC’s role following January 6. He stated, “The place that was first in line to rehabilitate him was the UFC. And now they want to get out here and now they want to gaslight the s**t out of you and tell you that this is not a partisan event.”
When White appeared on Bloomberg Business and suggested the event wasn’t political, Thomas took issue with the comparison to previous presidents attending sporting events. “Obama, by the way, never had an NBA game on the White House lawn. There was no Major League Baseball at the White House lawn,” Thomas countered.
Thomas addressed White’s claim directly. “I don’t know how it would be too political other than it’s at the White House,” White had said, comparing Trump’s UFC fandom to Bush’s baseball interest and Obama’s basketball preference.
Thomas found this comparison inadequate, arguing “the UFC went so far beyond that, it’s not even remotely comparable.”
The analyst insisted the event represents political reciprocity. “The reason why this event exists is because it is political payback for what the UFC did,” Thomas explained. He described the situation as a bilateral exchange of favors, stating the UFC made “documentaries” for Trump, spoke on his behalf at political conventions, and donated to his super PAC.
Thomas acknowledged that some fans may support these actions while others oppose them, but emphasized his main point: “What you are not allowed to say is that it doesn’t carry a political context and that the rewards themselves of that relationship and that union don’t have a political context.”
He concluded by urging viewers not to accept White’s framing: “Don’t let them gaslight you into thinking you noticing how political it is is somehow you’re the one making it political.”
