Trump showered with cheers during dramatic entrance at UFC 314 in Miami

Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald on Apr 13, 2025

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President Donald Trump made a dramatic entrance Saturday night ahead of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s featherweight title bout in Miami, receiving a rousing ovation from the crowd.

Surrounded by members of his family and Cabinet, the Republican president was showered with cheers and chants of “USA” by the UFC 314 fans as he strode into the Kaseya Center, shaking outstretched hands along the way. Kid Rock’s “American Bad A**” played over the house speakers as the president walked to his seat, where he watched the fight next to businessman Elon Musk.

Alexander Volkanovski of Australia and Diego Lopes of Brazil headlined the event. Vokanovski won the fight by decision.

Joining Trump in his entourage were UFC Chief Executive Officer Dana White and Congressman Byron Donalds, whom Trump has endorsed for Florida governor in 2026. Also in attendance: Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.; U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and FBI Director Kash Patel.

From his perch near the Octagon, Trump chatted up former Miami Heat superstar Shaquille O’Neal and announcer and podcaster Joe Rogan.

“I’m so happy for you,” Rogan told him, following an embrace.

Trump, who flew into Miami International Airport on Air Force One Saturday evening, spent the weekend in South Florida, as he frequently has done since he was reelected in November. Trump won Miami-Dade County in the election, becoming the fist Republican presidential candidate to do so in nearly 40 years.

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