Trump Attends UFC Fight Night in First Public Appearance Since Conviction

The former president met with deafening cheers at the event where two fighters, Kevin Holland and Sean Strickland, jumped out of the octagon to shake his hand.

Former President Donald Trump attends UFC 302 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on June 1, 2024. Luke Hales/Getty Images

Kevin Holland, winner of the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), skipped the traditional victory lap around the ring Saturday night to instead climb over the barrier of the “cage” to shake the hand of surprise guest former President Donald Trump.

The move came on Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, at what would be the 45th president’s first appearance since his unprecedented felony criminal convictions on Thursday.