R.Years ago – before I became an investigative journalist – I found myself working as a colored commentator for the Russian mixed martial arts organization that was transferred by a few in the orbit of Vladimir Putin.
The job took me around the Russian Federation and its neighboring states, which allowed me to follow up unique stories that were far from the reach of my hands. I met a fighter that did not fulfill a black magic worship run by his coach, and attended MMA He presented with the President of Ingusitia (now the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense), and the vodka shots with former KGB officers and the Russian Oligarshini.
Then there was a time when the organization tried to host an event in the famous red field in Moscow, which is one of the most historical and political monuments in Russia. It is also located next to the Kremlin, the headquarters of the Russian political power. This event was an opportunity for the organization and Oligarsha to manufacture themselves to Putin, a well -known MMA fans who previously attended their shows.
Logistics issues, including security concerns and bureaucratic red ribbons, have made the event impossible at the time. But the incident was stuck with me, though, as an example of the political current flowing through sports. This memory has become particularly relevant as US President Donald Trump Plans announced To host the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House to celebrate the country’s birthday 250 next year.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters during a greeting event to America in Iowa on Thursday, Trump said: “Is anyone watching UFC? The great Dana White? We will face the Battle of UFC. We will face the Battle of UFC – Think about this – on the basis of the White House. We have a lot of land there. “
White House press secretary Caroline Levitte confirmed the news during a press conference, adding that President “Gad” about hosting the UFC event in official residency and the workplace of the president.
This advertisement does not come as a surprise given Trump’s long relationship with UFC, the current owner Arien Emmanuel, and its CEO Dana White.
During the past few years, Trump The UFC events were frequently attendedSun admired by the youth, mostly male. He planted relationships with fighters, and benefited from their support to photograph himself as a strong symbolic man. The culture of UFC challenge, Machismo and the scene to help spent his image as a rebel against liberal standards. He also rushed to replace the American traditional political culture with a new mix of entertainment and confrontation policy, which is embodied by Trump White.
UFC CEO of Trump has risen at three Republican national conferences and a large group of gatherings in the campaign over the past eight years. He traveled with the first air force president and produced a documentary film for Trump entitled “The highest fighters”. When Trump won the 2024 presidential elections, it was the egg that took the theater in the victory party – because, of course, Trump needed his promoter to fight to conclude the deal.
For UFC, it gave its association with Trump the high promotion once a new type of political legitimacy and influence. It also distinguishes it from other sports league tournaments by placing the governor unusually. UFC so Care of the United States is semi -annual Dabbed America 250, join the likes of Amazon, The Coca-Cola Company, Oracle and Walmart.
Since he took office in January, Trump attended two separate events at UFC. UFC 316 recently attended in June a few hours after a memorandum signed a command to publish 2000 national guard soldiers to Los Angeles Province after the ice immigration raids sparked mass protests. However, he enjoyed a strong applause from the fans in the audience, glowing approvals from the fighters, until one of them knelt in front of Trump. The UFC Cyle Harrison’s hero embraced him, planted a kiss on his cheek, and drew a belt her heroism around his waist while his family and supporters looked at joy. It was a scene worthy of the strong man with Trump’s perception.
This is why Trump’s plan to organize UFC at the White House event is completely logical. It is the natural peak of the partnership in which UFC has become the stage for Maga legends. It carries shadows of fascist Italy during the reign of Benito Mosolini, especially her obsession with masculinity, scene and nationalism – but with a modern American development.
Italy has used fascism gatherings, marches and mathematical events to drop strength and loneliness. Sports, especially combat sport, have been used as tools to grow perfect masculinity in Mussolini and photograph Italy as a strong and powerful nation. Likewise, Trump relied on UFC to display his strong image, and celebrate his commercial brand of national masculinity. Among the heroes of the names who support him to propose a championship that would UFC fighter hole against illegal immigrantsTrump has repeatedly found ways to make Machismo similar to UFC part of his political brand.
Since his return to office in January, Trump’s presidency has been distinguished by the cleansing of federal agencies, opposition and immigration reports, and the cavity of institutions that were designed as studies against violations in the presidential authority. Trump’s loyalty, instead of the American constitution and people, has become the main test of political progress. During, Sports appeared as a central feature of its managementHe presents his policies with the presentation of personality worship and celebrating violence. All of these are the distinctive features of authoritarianism.
There was once as the United States could refer to the tyranny of regulations such as Italy in Mussolini and demanding at least some The moral distance. This line is no longer visible. The soft power that has been borrowed from the powerful that is proudly implemented in the private front park in America.
