US Election Results 2024: Why MMA founder Dana White got emotional during Trump's victory speech

As former President Donald Trump inches closer to a second presidential term, UFC President Dana White has made it clear: "Nobody deserves this more than him." White, a key ally of Trump, has long spoken of the resilience and strength the former president has shown in the face of relentless scrutiny.

In a passionate statement, White applauded Trump’s indomitable spirit, adding, “This is what happens when the machine comes after you. Couldn't stop him. He keeps going forward. He doesn't quit. He's the most resilient, hardworking man I've ever met in my life.” For White, this endorsement goes beyond politics; it is about loyalty, resilience, and recognising the man who supported him when few others would.

Speaking about their bond in a 2018 interview, White said, “Nobody took us seriously back then, except Donald Trump. I’ll never say anything negative about him—he was there when no one else was.”

WWE connection: Two empires built in parallel

Trump’s relationship with the world of WWE is well-documented and stretches back over three decades. It is no surprise that, in the midst of his campaign rallies, Trump courts WWE superstars and uses their iconic entrance themes to fire up his supporters. After all, Trump is a WWE Hall of Famer and his ties to the wrestling promotion have played a pivotal role in shaping his public persona. But what many don’t realise is how closely Trump’s rise as a businessman and later as a politician mirrors the growth of WWE itself.

Both Trump and WWE’s Vince McMahon have built powerful empires in parallel, shaping the culture of their respective industries. Trump was a lifelong fan of wrestling, and as the WWE rose from a regional promotion into a global phenomenon, Trump was climbing the ladder of success in business and politics. The two men share a deep connection: they both took over their family businesses and faced heavy scrutiny from critics, yet managed to turn their enterprises into household names.

In 2007, Trump took on the role of a WWE character, engaging in the now-legendary “Battle of the Billionaires” against Vince McMahon. The match saw Trump’s representative, Bobby Lashley, face off against McMahon’s fighter, Umaga, with the loser getting their head shaved. Trump’s larger-than-life persona and involvement in the event made headlines, further cementing his ties to the world of WWE.

WWE legends continue to support Trump

Beyond his own involvement, Trump has garnered the unwavering support of several WWE icons, many of whom have come out in full force to back his presidential bid. Among the most vocal supporters is WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. Known for his “Hulkamania” persona, Hogan famously donned a red "Trump 2024" tank top at the Republican National Convention, declaring, "Let the TrumpaMania run wild, brother." Recently, Hogan doubled down on his endorsement, appearing on Fox News to predict a landslide victory for the former president in the upcoming election.

Other WWE legends have also voiced their support, including the iconic Undertaker (Mark Calaway), who invited Trump onto his podcast and praised his approach to politics. “You made politics fun again,” said Calaway, reflecting the broad appeal Trump continues to have among WWE’s fanbase. Even the use of the Undertaker’s chilling entrance theme at one of Trump’s rallies further solidified their mutual bond, with the Undertaker’s on-screen brother Kane (Glenn Jacobs) also publicly backing Trump.