Donald Trump, UFC and WWE: The love affair

What in the World

• Episode: Donald Trump, UFC and WWE: The love affair
• Website: What in the World
• Feed URL: https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/w13xtvrv.rss
• Duration: 00:13:24
• Published: 2025-01-17 15:30

WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Champion) both started off as niche TV and at small events, but are now thoroughly mainstream. The two companies merged in 2023 under TKO Holdings in a multi-billion dollar deal and now Netflix has signed a deal to pay more than $5bn for rights to show WWE programming.

President-elect Donald Trump has had ties to both WWE and UFC for decades; hosting events and even taking part in storylines. UFC President Dana White first publicly endorsed Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention and he was on stage during Trump's election victory speech after he won the Presidential election again in 2024. Donald Trump has appeared at many WWE and UFC events - did this encourage fans to vote for him?

BBC journalist Lola Schroer (using her wrestling stage name Lola the Loyal) breaks down what WWE and UFC are and explains Trump’s relationship with each. And we also hear from UFC fans Andrew, Jordan, Max and UFC content creator Kennedy Louise.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Lola Schroer Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Simon Peeks