UFC 309: Donald trumps Lucifer, returns to the Garden victorious
President-elect Donald Trump arrives at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Donald Trump's critics love comparing him to every dictator on this planet but they could go beyond such earthly mundane analogies and take it the next level by comparing him to Lucifer. Of course even that analogy will fall short because Donald Trump managed to do what Lucifer has never done: return triumphant to the Garden. But let's rewind a little. October 27, 2024, wasn’t just a bad day for Donald Trump—it was supposed to be horrendous.
Madison Square Garden
, the hallowed ground of sports and spectacle, became a battleground for America’s soul. What started as another rally in Trump’s barnstorming campaign quickly unraveled into a PR catastrophe. The left compared the gathering to the infamous Nazi rally held in the same venue in 1939. Critics labeled it divisive, dark, and outright racist. And when a comedian dared to joke about Puerto Rico being “a floating island of rubbish,” the night descended into something even Trump’s fiercest supporters would struggle to spin.The backlash was immediate and brutal. Liberal media crowned it the moment Trump’s political empire would crumble, his chances of returning to the White House dashed like Lucifer cast out of heaven. Except unlike the prince of darkness, Trump wasn’t destined to rule in hell. Fast forward 20 days, and the Garden became his Eden.
The Prodigal King Returns
November 16, 2024. Same venue, same Trump, but this time the jeers had turned to cheers. Madison Square Garden had traded its protest signs for
MAGA
hats, and the roar of “USA! USA!” was deafening. The occasion?
UFC 309
. Trump wasn’t headlining a rally this time; he was strutting into the arena as the ultimate hype man, flanked by UFC President
Dana White
like some warrior king marching to reclaim his throne.Theatrics? Of course. Trump doesn’t do subtlety. Kid Rock’s “American Bad Ass” blared as the former president entered in his trademark suit and crimson tie, fists raised high, drinking in the adoration of his people. It wasn’t just an appearance; it was a coronation. A highlight reel lit up the arena screens, framing his improbable resurgence as “The greatest comeback in American history.”
And then came the dance. Yes, that dance. Near the octagon, Trump broke into his now-iconic shimmy to the Village People’s “YMCA,” a move so awkward yet endearing it has become meme fodder for an entire generation. The crowd went ballistic. Social media exploded with MAGA faithful hailing the moment as proof of Trump’s indomitable spirit.
The Fight That Became a Sermon
The
UFC fights
themselves? Sure, they delivered.
Jon Jones
cemented his legend by demolishing Stipe Miocic with a TKO in Round 3 that was equal parts savage and poetic. But the real drama unfolded after the fight.Jones, the reigning heavyweight champion and no stranger to grandiosity, turned his victory lap into a Trump tribute. After his hand was raised, Jones spun toward Trump, grinned, and—wait for it—busted out the Donald
Trump Dance
. The crowd, already in MAGA overdrive, lost their collective minds. But Jones wasn’t done. He walked over to Trump, belt in hand, and handed it to the former president as if anointing him the undisputed champion of the American people.“I’m proud to be a great American champion. I’m proud to be a CHRISTIAN American champion,” Jones declared, his words reverberating through the arena like scripture. At that moment, the octagon wasn’t just a cage—it was a pulpit.
Trump: The Lucifer That Walked Back Into the Garden
Here’s the twist that even the Bible didn’t script: Lucifer was cast out of heaven and condemned to rule hell for eternity. But Trump? He defied cosmic logic. He walked back into the Garden—not just of Madison Square but of America’s imagination—and reclaimed his place as a messianic figure for his followers. The Garden was his stage, and like a modern-day Samson, he tore down the pillars of doubt and ridicule. Just weeks earlier, he’d been mocked and vilified in the same venue. Now, he stood victorious, basking in the glory of a crowd that saw him not as a fallen angel but as their redeemer.
The UFC-MAGA Fusion
The relationship between Trump and the UFC is a story of mutual loyalty forged years ago. When the UFC was struggling for legitimacy in its early days, Trump offered his venues and support, hosting some of their first major events at his Atlantic City casinos. Dana White, in turn, has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters, frequently appearing alongside him at rallies and publicly endorsing his campaigns. This enduring bond was on full display as the UFC community embraced Trump with chants, flags, and an atmosphere that felt more like a political rally than a fight night.The atmosphere was unmistakably pro-Trump, with chants of “USA! USA!” and MAGA flags dominating the crowd. For many in attendance, the event symbolized Trump’s unyielding resilience, a quality his supporters see as almost otherworldly.While Lucifer was cast out of heaven never to return, Trump made his way back into the Garden—this time to roaring applause. Whether viewed as a master showman or a political savior, Trump proved once again that his ability to reclaim the spotlight is unparalleled.
