Campbell McLaren, one of the co-creators of Ultimate Fighting Championship, believes that Donald Trump’s political gain proves that” MMA won the election”.
” Remember, I am a producer, so I’m allowed a certain amount of hyperbole”, McLaren, then CEO of Combate Global, said in a movie meeting. ” In 30 years, the game has gone from being an outsider game… Fast forward, the UFC, Dana White, and truly Joe Rogan played an enormous piece in Donald Trump’s recognition especially with young people”.
White was invited to the podium during Trump’s victory speech on Tuesday night because he and the president-elect are so closely connected. White’s brief remarks congratulated Trump before thanking podcasters who helped amplify Trump’s message—including Rogan.

After hosting Trump for the first time on the Joe Rogan Experience last month, Rogan, who is also a UFC broadcaster, endorsed Trump. Trump has received numerous applauses for his public appearance at UFC events, including this June, where he made his first public appearance since being found guilty of 34 felonies in New York.
McLaren disputes the claim that Trump’s support came from the “alpha male” movement and MMA culture. He instead believes the wider” David vs. Goliath” aspect that Trump has created—a tough guy going up against the nation’s elite—makes him appealing. ” Americans love to root for the underdog”, he said. ” We want the David to beat the Goliath. We have always been heroes because of the fight industry.
McLaren also noted the rise in Latino support for Trump from the voting booth to the combate global, which describes itself as the “premier Hispanic MMA franchise.” Trump tallied about 45 % of the Hispanic vote, a record high for a Republican presidential nominee, according to NBC News exit polls, while still trailing Vice President Kamala Harris, who finished with about 53 % of the demographic.
” If I’m going to go down in history, I would say the Hispanic demo is what got him elected rather than]MMA fans ]”, McLaren said.