UFC Fighter Jorge Masvidal's Comments on Trump, Ron DeSantis Spark Debate

UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal praised Donald Trump after being defeated at the Miami-Dade Arena on Saturday, with the former US president watching on from ringside.

Hometown fighter Masvidal, 38, is a vocal supporter of Trump, 76, and he bowed out of mixed martial arts with a loss to Gilbert Burns before taking the mic to try and lead the crowd in a chant mocking President Joe Biden.

During his post-fight interview with UFC President Dana White, Masvidal praised Florida governor Ron DeSantis just days after the fighter visited the businessman-turned-politician at his house in Mar-a-Lago.

Masvidal posted a clip on Twitter of him speaking from the ring following his final defeat, in which he pointed to Trump, who is out of shot, before declaring: "I just want to say, greatest president in the history of the world sitting right there. I love that guy!"

The fighter then went on to praise DeSantis, telling the crowd: "We also have the greatest governor of all time here in Florida. Let's keep Florida free and get 'Brandon' out of power on election day."

He then tried to lead the crowd in a chorus of "Let's go Brandon," but it didn't seem to get the vocal support he may have been hoping.

The chanting of "Let's Go Brandon" is in reference to Biden and was coined during a live TV interview being given by NASCAR driver Brandon Brown to NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast.

With the crowd chanting "F*** Joe Biden," Stavast described what was being heard as "Let's Go Brandon," and it soon became an internet meme that was then adopted by Republican supporters at rallies.

Masvidal's sentiments were not universally popular on social media, with many taking aim at the fighter.

One Twitter user commented: "Two Ls in one night is impressive"

Another referenced Trump's defeat to Biden in the 2020 presidential election, coupled with Masvidal being beaten again, writing: "Losers identify with other losers lol"

A third said: "Cringe as usual"

Others praised the UFC star, who finished his career with a 38-17 record, with one writing: "Haha great work. Crowd loved it as well. Tremendous work."

Another said: "This makes me happy. Real America."

On April 4, Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges related to falsifying business records around hush money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign.

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