Jorge Masvidal, Kamaru Usman praised by Donald Trump at rallies

UFC welterweight Colby Covington is the most prominent supporter of President Donald Trump, but he’s far from the only one. On Friday, Trump attended two events, a Latinos For Trump rally at Trump National Golf Club in Doral, Florida, an event focused on black economic empowerment at Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, Georgia. Each was attended by a prominent MMA fighter, who was singled out by the president.

Trump opened his remarks at the first rally by singling out Jorge Masvidal, who was in attendance along with his manager Abraham Kawa, and father, Jorge Sr.

We have some real champions here, said Trump. And one I heard, in particular, I saw a very fast knockout not so long ago. Where’s Jorge? Where is Jorge? I don’t want to fight with him. Where he is? Where is he? Stand up, Jorge. Stand up. There he is.

That’s the fastest knockout. … He was fighting this young superstar who was going to great, right? They were telling me how great he is. I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings but he was supposed to be the future of the UFC but he had to go through this guy right here but it didn’t go well, did it, Jorge? What a champion you are. That was the fastest. What was it? About a second? Two seconds? You ran across the ring and the guy was gone and that was the end of it. Did they have to pay you for that evening or not? Because one second… that’s a good return. Great to have you, man. I’m a big fan. Thanks.

[Hispanic Americans] champion our shared values and embody the American dream. That’s what it is. This guy was a fighter on the street. He used to beat up people. You know, your route is much different. Most of these people… I know your story… Actually, for what you do it’s sort of cool. For other people, it wouldn’t be so good. But he used to beat up people and somebody said, ‘Come on the gym. Let’s see if you’re so good.’ Then he goes into the gym and guys who are fighting for a long time, he beat the hell out of him. They said, ‘I think he’s going to be a good fighter,’ and they were right.

https://twitter.com/McGregorsBurner/status/1309547770307436544

The Young Superstar didn’t miss a beat.

https://twitter.com/Benaskren/status/1309555184713052160

The event later in the day in Georgia was attended by welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and manager Ali Abdelaziz, each of whom received a shoutout from the president.

Does anybody like UFC? asked Trump. I’ll tell you what. … Usman, I know who he is. He’s tough. That’s who he is. Kamaru Usman. Where is our champ? Come on, champ. Get up. Man, oh man, oh man. What a fighter you are. I don’t want to mess with him. I may weigh a couple of pounds more. Do you think I could take you in a fight, champ? I don’t think so. He goes, ‘No.’ I think you’re right, champ.

I watched the fight you had a couple of months ago, an unbelievable talent – and [smart], too. It’s a combination. The muscles are important but you’ve got to have the other. He actually looks really good in a suit but he’s one of the few people who look better without a suit. There aren’t too many of us. There aren’t too many of us that can say that. Right, men? The men in this audience, eh? I just want to thank you, champion. Good luck. I’ll be watching. You have a big fight coming up. I’ll be watching and it’s a great group of people. A great group of champions. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Abdelaziz reacting to a TRump shout out at the earlier event:

https://twitter.com/aliabdelaziz00/status/1305696922724757505

h/t Nolan King for MMA Junkie