Donald Trump has promised to stop the war in Gaza.
The former US President on Sunday made a dramatic appearance in front of screaming fans at UFC 302 and saved his most extraordinary claim when speaking privately with former UFC world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
There were “crazy” scenes when the convicted felon walked out in front of more than 15,000 fans inside the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey, where he received a standing ovation.
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The 77-year-old watched on as Russian Islam Makhacev defended his world title against American Dustin Poirier.
Trump ended his night with a face-to-face chat with Dagestani icon Nurmagomedov, who famously retired undefeated.
Despite facing a possible sentence of up to four years in prison, Trump was happy to discuss his plans for international peacetalks — should he be re-elected to the presidency this year.
In a conversation that was overheard by cameras, Murmagomedov was heard telling Trump: “I know you will stop the war in Palestine”.
As they continued to shake hands, Trump responded: “We will stop it. I will stop the war”.
Trump’s public comments on the war have been mixed and he said last month Israel is “losing the PR war” by failing to get the job done.
President Joe Biden last week supported a so-called new road map towards a permanent peace in Gaza offered by Israel.
Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on four occasions, including in 2021 over the deal his administration brokered between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
The 45th US President looked more popular than ever when he arrived at the UFC event on Sunday.
It was only 48 hours previous that Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in his New York hush money trial.
A sentencing hearing has been set for July 11 — four days before the Republican National Convention, when the party will officially nominate him for President.
Despite all this, Trump looked like a rock star as he entered UFC 302 alongside UFC boss Dana White.
He was seen shaking hands with ESPN MMA commentator Joe Rogan on the live TV broadcast.
He also shook hands with NFL superstar Aaron Rodgers, who had previously been linked with an audacious bid to be the vice-president running mate of Robert F. Kennedy.
Footage at the time showed Rodgers appeared to snub Trump as he walked past, but Rodgers eventually shared a photo on Instagram that showed him speaking with Trump near the Octagon. Rodgers said their meeting was “priceless”.
According to videos shared on social media, Trump received thunderous applause when he walked out.
Fans were heard chanting “f*** Joe Biden” and also “we want Trump”.
Rogan said the crowd went “crazy” as Trump emerged.
Behind the scenes, Trump was also shown support when he met former world champ Sean Strickland and light heavyweight world champ Alex Pereira of Brazil.
Trump has previously enjoyed being an MVP guest of the UFC with White repeatedly throwing his support behind the ousted President. They have been friends for more than 20 years.
In March, the former president sat cageside with eldest daughter, Ivanka, at UFC 299 in Florida.
The New York Post reports his Newark appearance is his first public sighting since he declared “we’re going to fight” during a fiery press conference in the atrium of Trump Tower in New York.
Trump has vowed to appeal his conviction, saying he’s “honoured” by the legal battle and that “we’re fighting for our Constitution”.
Trump gave brief comments to media outside the court on Friday, claiming the trial was “rigged” and a “disgrace”.
“This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who is corrupt,” he said.
“The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people and they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here.”
He insisted “we didn’t do anything wrong”.
“I’m a very innocent man and it’s OK, I’m fighting for our country, I’m fighting for our Constitution,” he said.
“This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent, and I think it’s just a disgrace and we’ll keep fighting. We’ll fight to the end and we’ll win.”