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On January 6, 2021, as Congress convened to certify Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, a large crowd of Trump supporters gathered for a rally near the U.S. Capitol, where then-President Trump urged them to contest the election results and “fight like hell.”
Chaos ensued. Fuelled by Trump’s words, the crowd overran police barricades and breached the Capitol building, resulting in violent clashes with law enforcement. Five people were killed in the resulting riots, including a Capitol police officer. The attack was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the certification of the election results and resulted in widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. Even Trump faced a historic second impeachment and increased scrutiny over his role in inciting the violence.
In the months that followed, Trump found a sanctuary in the UFC, which became a powerful platform for his return to the public eye. UFC events gave Trump the opportunity to appear before large, conservative-leaning crowds, where he was often greeted with applause and cheers. This consistent visibility at UFC events allowed Trump to recast himself as a popular, resilient figure amid the backlash from January 6, and played a significant role in salvaging his image among his base in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
In this final episode on In The Red Corner, we focus on the aftermath of Jan. 6, and the ongoing loyalty the UFC and many of its fighters continue to show toward Trump, even as his controversies and legal battles continue to mount. We look at how the UFC, through its fighters and its public stance, has become more than just an ally—it’s a potent symbol of Trump’s MAGA movement.
But it goes even deeper. This episode also sheds light on the rise of the far-right fight clubs that have sprung up in response to this political climate. Inspired by UFC culture and MAGA rhetoric, these groups take combat sports beyond the cage, training for ideological battles and civil wars that they believe are on the horizon.
You can listen to this episode in the player above, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you missed the first two episodes, you can play them below.
In The Red Corner was created by Karim Zidan and Elie Bleier and is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen using the embed above or through the Substack app.
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