Dana White Confirms Donald Trump’s Absence From UFC 322

Donald Trump will break his attendance streak at New York UFC events, skipping the highly anticipated UFC 322 pay-per-view on November 15 at Madison Square Garden. UFC President Dana White confirmed the former president’s absence, citing “ongoing controversies” as the reason Trump will miss the blockbuster card featuring two title fights. This marks a significant departure from Trump’s pattern of attending every UFC New York event since 2022.

Breaking the Streak: Trump’s Unexpected Absence

Since 2022, Donald Trump has become a fixture at major UFC events in New York, making his walkouts with Dana White a familiar spectacle for fight fans. His presence at Madison Square Garden has consistently generated significant media attention and fan reactions, both positive and negative. However, the streak will end at UFC 322, with White acknowledging that the current political climate and controversies surrounding Trump have influenced the decision for him to sit this event out.

The absence is particularly notable given the card’s stature. UFC 322 represents one of the promotion’s biggest events of 2025, featuring champion-versus-champion matchups that would typically attract high-profile spectators like Trump.

What Trump Will Miss: A Stacked UFC 322 Card

The UFC 322 card represents one of the most significant fight nights of 2025, featuring two championship bouts with historic implications. In the main event, strawweight champion Zhang Weili moves up to challenge flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko in a bid to become a simultaneous two-division champion. The co-main event features former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev attempting to capture welterweight gold against rising superstar Jack Della Maddalena.

These matchups represent exactly the type of superfights that have drawn Trump to previous events, making his absence all the more conspicuous. The card also marks the promotion’s return to Madison Square Garden, a venue where Trump has historically received strong receptions from the New York crowd.

The Bigger Picture: Trump’s Relationship with Combat Sports

Donald Trump’s history with the UFC and combat sports stretches back decades. He hosted early UFC events at his Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City during the sport’s formative years and has maintained a close friendship with Dana White throughout his presidency and beyond. This relationship was expected to culminate in a historic UFC event at the White House in 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Trump’s recent appearance at other sporting events has drawn mixed reactions, including being booed at an NFL game. This increasingly polarized reception may have contributed to the decision for him to avoid the potentially divisive environment of a major UFC event during an active election cycle.

Conclusion: A Calculated Absence

Donald Trump’s decision to skip UFC 322 reflects the complex intersection of sports, politics, and entertainment. While his presence has undoubtedly brought additional attention to UFC events in the past, the potential distractions from “ongoing controversies” appear to have outweighed the benefits for this particular card. As the UFC continues to expand its global reach, the absence of one of its most famous fans at such a marquee event underscores the challenges of navigating political divisions within sports entertainment.

Donald Trump UFC 322 Absence: FAQ