Trump Praises UFC Fighter's Looks During Miami Event as Iran Talks Falter
Former President Donald Trump was captured on video telling top UFC star Paulo Costa that he is 'too good looking to be a fighter' after attending Saturday's UFC 327 event at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The incident occurred as Trump faced backlash for his presence at the mixed martial arts spectacle amid crumbling peace negotiations with Iran, which ended on Sunday after 21 hours without a deal.
Front Row Action and Octagon Encounter
Soaking up the action from the very front row, Trump at one stage walked up to the Octagon to congratulate Brazilian light heavyweight Paulo Costa on his knockout victory over Azamat Murzakanov. In a video that has since circulated widely on social media, Trump is heard gushing over Costa's appearance, with the fighter thanking him for 'doing what you're doing'.
Trump responded by saying, 'You're a beautiful guy. Great fight.' Costa then joked about potentially taking up modeling once his MMA career concludes, prompting Trump to add, 'You could be a model, you look so good. You're too good looking to be a fighter!' Before parting ways, Trump remarked, 'You are some fighter.'
Post-Fight Reactions and Political Context
When questioned about the exchange during his post-fight press conference, Costa simply stated, 'That was funny. Thank you Mr. Trump.' Trump attended the UFC show accompanied by his daughters Tiffany and Ivanka, granddaughters Kai and Arabella Rose, Secretary of State Rubio, and UFC CEO Dana White.
The crowd reaction, as observed on the Paramount+ broadcast, appeared largely positive, though blaring entrance music by Kid Rock made it difficult to discern whether he was booed or cheered. However, not everyone was pleased with Trump's attendance, as it coincided with significant diplomatic developments.
Criticism Over Timing with Iran Negotiations
Vice President JD Vance claimed that talks with Iran had ended because negotiators 'chosen not to accept our terms.' This sparked fury among critics who questioned Trump's priorities. One critic on X asked, 'Does he know he started a war? Time for UFC I guess?' Another added, 'I mean the world is on fire. But hey let's use some tax money to attend a UFC fight.' Several others kept their comments succinct, with one noting, 'Hard at work for the American people.'
The juxtaposition of Trump's leisure activity with high-stakes international diplomacy has ignited debate over his focus and use of resources during a critical period in foreign relations.
