During UFC Edmonton’s live broadcast on Paramount Plus, viewers were served repeated political advertisements from MAGA Inc., the super PAC supporting Donald Trump. The ads which ran multiple times throughout the event, attacked Democratic lawmakers over tax policy votes, claiming they opposed eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and social security benefits.
In a recent video, Luke Thomas argued that this represents the culmination of MMA’s transformation into what he describes as a vector for right-wing politics.
“When I first began to discuss the idea that MMA was extremely right-wing to the point where it had become a vector for right-wing politics, I was met with fierce and angry blowback,” Thomas said.
He continued, “Only to now be in a place where literally a super PAC that supports the president but by law is not run by him is running essentially get out the vote ads to the portion of the electorate that the UFC helped hand to Donald Trump.”
The ads themselves present a selective narrative. While Democrats did vote against the legislation referenced, Thomas points out they did so because “the bill in the end had giveaways to the rich and then cuts to Medicare and then food aid.”
He notes that even the culinary union which historically opposed the UFC, supports the underlying policy of eliminating taxes on tips.
Thomas identifies the strategic purpose behind these ads: energizing Trump’s base ahead of midterm elections. MAGA Inc. reportedly has a war chest of approximately $400 million.
“These ads are designed to at a bare minimum create a buffer,” he explains, aimed at maintaining enough turnout to limit Democratic gains.
The relationship between the UFC and the Trump administration extends far beyond advertising. Donald Trump owns TKO stock. The UFC held an event at the White House. The State Department signed a memorandum of understanding with the organization for global events. Kash Patel proposed a no-bid contract for the UFC to train FBI recruits.
The commentary coincided with UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland speaking at a rally for Alberta independence, which Thomas views as part of a pattern of MMA figures promoting separatist and destructive political movements.
Thomas’s message targets regulators and policymakers rather than MMA fans themselves. “This video is not for them,” he stated. “My message is for the outside world to pay attention to what is happening here.”
He advocates for breaking up TKO and Paramount to reduce what he sees as concentrated power being wielded for political ends, arguing that market competition would serve both business and democratic interests.
