By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-19 22:32:09 | Updated at 2024-11-26 08:52:15
6 days ago
UFC fans have lashed out at Jon Jones as they hurled allegations of being politically two-faced at the fighter.
Donald Trump has been a staunch supporter of UFC amid his friendship with CEO Dana White and has regularly made appearances at fight nights, most recently at UFC 309 on Saturday - the first event since his re-election.
Jones emerged victorious in front of the president-elect at Madison Square Garden where he got into the patriotic spirit after a knockout win over Stipe Miocic.
Jones and Trump shook hands and capped a fight night charged with politics as much as punches inside a raucous MSG where 'USA!' chants echoed through the arena.
'A big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,' Jones said inside the cage before presenting Trump with the belt and imitating the president-elect's now-iconic arm-shimmy dance.
'I'm proud to be a great American champion. I'm proud to be a Christian-American champion.'
Jon Jones was victorious at UFC 309 after a knockout win over Stipe Miocic Saturday night
The UFC heavyweight king celebrated his victory with Donald Trump, who attended the event
The president-elect, who was joined by Elon Musk at Madison Square Garden, held the belt
However, social media sleuths unearthed evidence that could paint Jones in a hypocritical light.
Despite a public display of support, it appears that the fighter does not back Trump online.
One MMA fan discovered that Jones follows Vice President Kamala Harris on Instagram, but hasn't given Trump a follow.
The discovery sparked outrage among other fans with many branding the the 37-year-old 'fake.'
'Fakest guy on earth. Did it only to avoid boos that were coming for ducking Aspinall on the mic,' one social media user posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
'This dude is the fakest person in the world. DC continues to be right about him,' another added, referring to former MMA fighter Daniel Cormier.
'Dude’s an opportunist. He knows what’s popular right now,' a third claimed, suggesting Jones was playing the field.
'Thats weird, almost like it was a marketing ploy by Jones. Interesting,' another suggested, while one claimed, 'I knew he was a switch up I could almost sense it.'
UFC fans slammed Jones online after it emerged that he didn't follow Trump on Instagram
'Dana paid him to do that,' another alleged, referencing the UFC president and his close relationship with the president-elect.
Trump has enjoyed a close relationship with UFC over the years, regularly attending events and even previously bragging about saving the company.
During an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast in the buildup to the election, Trump was quick to explain the part he played in making the UFC the multi-billion-dollar success it has become under the stewardship of White, who Trump labeled 'the greatest guy'.
Trump tapped the UFC President and CEO to speak for him at the last three Republican National Conventions before inviting him to the onstage victory party following this month's triumph at the ballot box.
And the president-elect returned the favor, by showing up in support of White at the weekend as he soaked up the action in the octagon cageside.
In one hilarious moment, Trump was assessing his surroundings before cage-side before Village People's YMCA song blasted through the arena - and the president elect couldn't help himself.
The Republican took it upon himself to have a dance and was seen punching the air to the chorus as fans lapped up the moment.
And when Jones won the main event by knocking out Miocic with a brutal roundhouse kick, he celebrated by performing the dance to Trump in the front row.
After leaving the cage, the UFC Heavyweight champion made his way over to where Trump was sitting with Elon Musk and handed him his championship belt.
