On September 11, 2021, Triller held an event to establish their mark in the boxing world. The highly-anticipated event took place in Hollywood, Florida. It featured a questionable match between 44-year-old Vitor Belfort and 58-year-old Evander Holyfield.
Holyfield looked sluggish and questionable in the lead up making fans worried.
Notably, the event garnered significant media attention due to the participation of renowned competitors like Anderson Silva and Tito Ortiz in the co-main event.
But the spotlight on the event doubled when the 45th President of the United States Donald Trump confirmed his attendance. He also agreed to provide commentary for an alternate stream.
Speculation arose regarding the payment Trump received for his appearance at the Triller event. Although it remained unconfirmed initially, The Washington Post later disclosed that Trump had accepted a staggering $2.5 million for his presence.
The Triller event match between Holyfield vs. Belfort played out as many predicted. In the co-main event, Tito Ortiz aimed to overpower Anderson Silva with relentless pressure. Unfortunately for Ortiz, Silva maintained his composure. He countered Ortiz’s aggression and ultimately secured a spectacular first-round knockout.
Donald Trump’s appearance at the Triller event is not an isolated incident. In November 2021, Triller hosted the first-ever Triad Combat event. It featured a captivating live performance by Metallica.
Following the news of Trump’s substantial compensation for the Holyfield vs. Belfort bout, Triller released a statement to The Washington Post. They explained that the payment to Trump aligned with the fees typically received by celebrity commentators.
The statement read: “The payment made to Trump for his commentary was consistent with the fees typically received by celebrity commentators.”
Triller has not been without its fair share of controversy in its quest to dominate the combat sports world. In 2021, the organization faced criticism after winning a purse bid for the Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos Jr. match. The bout ultimately never materialized due to financial complications.