“No UFC fighter has ever died”: Donald Trump sparks fierce debate on boxing vs UFC on Joe Rogan podcast

Donald Trump, the 79-year-old U.S. president, made headlines again after his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast in October 2024. On the show, which was recorded in Austin, Texas, Trump told Joe Rogan that boxing is “far more violent” than UFC.

He explained that while UFC fights look rough, no UFC fighter has died, but boxing has seen many deaths from constant punches to the head. His words, shared last year, resurfaced this week on sports pages, sparking a big online debate about which sport is truly more dangerous.

Donald Trump says boxing causes more deaths than UFC on Joe Rogan podcast

On the Joe Rogan podcast in October 2024, Donald Trump gave his blunt view. He said: “No UFC fighter … has ever died, and it looks to me much more violent than boxing. Many boxers have died. Isn’t it interesting?” Trump explained that in boxing, fighters keep getting hit in the head for round after round.

He noted that these repeated hits can cause serious injuries or even death.

Donald Trump also said the UFC, despite looking brutal at first, allows fighters to defend themselves in other ways. They can wrestle, clinch, or take the fight to the ground. According to him, that makes it less dangerous in comparison to boxing’s constant head shots. He praised how UFC has added stronger safety rules in the past twenty years, which surprised him given how unsafe it once appeared.

Donald Trump’s history with Dana White shows how he helped UFC survive

Donald Trump’s words are trending now because a sports page, Exceed Boxing News, posted the old quote on Instagram this week with the caption: “Boxing or MMA, which is more dangerous?” Fans quickly jumped in with their own views, spreading his remarks across social media.Donald Trump’s comments also remind people of his long connection with UFC. Back in 2001, when the sport was struggling for survival, Trump offered the Trump Taj Mahal arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to host UFC 30 and UFC 31. Also Read: Olympic Champion Ryan Lochte Accused Of Leaving Cocaine Bags In Daughter’s Bed As Kayla Rae Reid Fights For Full CustodyDana White, who is now the UFC CEO, has often said that this support helped save the promotion. White even recalled how Donald Trump stayed through the whole fight, arriving early and leaving late.Even now, Dana White has shared that Donald Trump calls him at least twice a month to talk about past and upcoming fights. The bond has stayed strong for more than two decades. With this background, Trump’s recent words about safety in UFC versus boxing carry even more weight.