In a moment now etched in combat sports history, newly re-elected President Donald Trump made a beeline for Joe Rogan at UFC 309, embracing the podcast host and commentator while delivering a striking message.
“He basically said, ‘I won him the election,'” Rogan revealed during a recent Fight Companion episode of his podcast, describing the unexpected interaction that took place at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024.
The encounter occurred during the high-profile heavyweight championship bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. As Trump entered the arena alongside UFC CEO Dana White, his entourage included notable figures like Elon Musk, RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
“Dude, it was like, dude… Dude!.. And then I see Trump come up, I saw the whole fuking thing Trump walking straight to you and gave you a big fuking hug and he’s whispering sweet nothings in your ear,” said one of Rogan’s podcast guests, recounting their observation of the moment. “I’m like, ‘Holy, they’re like, ‘This sht right here.’ Like I was like, ‘What the fck?’ He goes right to you, man. Look at that. He didn’t want to talk to Jon Anik. He [came] right to you.”
The significance of Trump’s comment appears to reference Rogan’s pre-election interview with the then-candidate. That episode, which stretched to three hours covering topics ranging from mixed martial arts to political issues, garnered over 40 million views within 24 hours of release.
Rogan’s endorsement represented a notable shift in his typical approach to political candidates. Following the podcast’s release, numerous social media users on X highlighted the potential impact of the conversation on voter decisions.
The UFC 309 event itself delivered memorable moments beyond the presidential appearance. Jones, 37, successfully defended his heavyweight title with a third-round knockout victory over Miocic, improving his record to an impressive 28-1. For Miocic, 42, the defeat marked another setback in his storied career.
Rogan, who has been a prominent voice in UFC broadcasting since 1997, found himself at the center of attention as Trump chose to acknowledge him specifically over fellow commentators Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier.
“That day was insane,” Rogan remarked during his podcast. “It was a great day. For the world. That’s like world history.”
His guest agreed: “Yeah. It was. They could put that whole event in some book.”
The evening concluded with Jones celebrating his victory by performing what has become known as the “Trump dance,” a celebratory move that has since been adopted by various athletes across different sports.
