UFC Champion Helps Trump Campaign For Republicans In Texas

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (28-5) appeared at the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, this week, urging voters to back Republican candidates and President Donald Trump.

Gaethje’s appearance follows an apparent GOP push to bolster support ahead of the November 3 midterms, with the party trailing in current polling and Trump’s approval rating sitting near 38%.

The 37-year-old fighter compared the stakes of the midterms to his own career, drawing on his experience of complacency costing him momentum during a winning run.

“If we are not just as passionate about voting and winning in these midterms as we were in the last presidential election, then we risk getting knocked out and losing all the momentum we have been fighting for,” Gaethje said.

Gaethje said he supports conservative government and believes Trump wants “the best for every American,” before calling for Republican victories in Congress to help advance the president’s agenda.

The appearance comes three months after Gaethje won the undisputed UFC lightweight championship by stopping Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn in June — a win he scored in front of Trump, a known fight fan, who was Octagonside at the time.

Gaethje is not expected to defend his title until 2027 as he continues recovering from a hand injury. His team has said he wants a “big fight” when he returns. A rematch with Topuria and a potential clash with Conor McGregor have been floated.