Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje Named Among Donald Trump’s Favorite UFC Fighters

Donald Trump‘s UFC favorites have reportedly been revealed by Ali Abdelaziz, the longtime MMA manager who previously represented Khabib Nurmagomedov. During a recent appearance on The Pound 4 Pound podcast, Abdelaziz claimed that Nurmagomedov and reigning UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje are the two fighters Trump admires most.

The comments add another chapter to Trump’s well-documented interest in mixed martial arts. The U.S. president has repeatedly appeared around major UFC events and developed visible relationships with several prominent fighters, but Abdelaziz’s claim puts Khabib and Gaethje in a particularly interesting category.

According to Abdelaziz, Trump’s appreciation for the two fighters goes beyond simply watching them compete. He described the president’s interaction with Gaethje during a White House visit as especially revealing, while also recalling Trump’s strong admiration for Nurmagomedov.

The claims are notable because Khabib and Gaethje represent very different eras and styles of lightweight MMA. Khabib built his legacy around suffocating wrestling and an unbeaten 29-0 professional record, while Gaethje became famous for relentless pressure, elite leg kicks and some of the most entertaining fights in UFC history.

Ali Abdelaziz reveals Trump’s alleged top two UFC fighters

During the podcast appearance, Abdelaziz discussed Trump’s relationship with Gaethje and described the president as particularly impressed by the lightweight champion.

“The President of the United States loves two fighters more than everybody else. Justin Gaethje and Khabib. He is the biggest Khabib fan.”

Abdelaziz then recalled asking Trump why he was such a fan of Khabib. According to the manager, Trump referenced including Nurmagomedov in his book as part of the explanation.

It is important to distinguish the nature of this information: these are Abdelaziz’s personal claims about Trump’s preferences rather than a formal ranking issued by Trump himself. Nevertheless, they fit into a broader public history of Trump discussing and interacting with UFC personalities.

Why Justin Gaethje appears to have made a strong impression on Trump

Abdelaziz’s comments about Gaethje focused heavily on the fighter’s recent White House visit.

Gaethje reportedly visited the White House with his family to celebrate his UFC Freedom 250 victory. Abdelaziz described Trump’s interaction with the lightweight star as unusually enthusiastic, claiming the president spent an extended period speaking with him.

“He admired this man. He respected this man.”

That reaction is understandable when viewed through the broader context of Gaethje’s public persona.

Gaethje has built his reputation around a fighting style that rewards toughness, aggression and willingness to engage. His fights have frequently involved dramatic momentum swings, heavy leg kicks and high-volume exchanges, making him one of the UFC’s most recognizable action fighters.

His appeal therefore extends beyond technical MMA fans. Gaethje’s style is straightforward to understand even for casual viewers: pressure, power and constant danger.

Gaethje’s UFC Freedom 250 victory strengthened his profile

The White House recognition came after Gaethje’s victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, an event associated with America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations.

Gaethje secured the victory when Topuria was unable to continue between rounds, giving the American fighter a major win on a highly symbolic stage.

The significance of that event went beyond the result itself. A high-profile UFC card connected to a major national celebration naturally placed additional attention on the American fighters involved.

Gaethje’s victory consequently provided a particularly strong backdrop for his meeting with Trump.

Khabib’s relationship with Trump is a different kind of story

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s connection to Trump comes from a different place.

The former UFC lightweight champion became one of the most dominant fighters in MMA history before retiring undefeated at 29-0. His career included victories over some of the division’s most recognizable names, with his win over Conor McGregor becoming one of the most famous fights in UFC history.

Unlike Gaethje, Khabib is no longer an active competitor. His legacy is now built almost entirely around what he accomplished inside the Octagon and the influence he continues to have on the sport.

That makes Abdelaziz’s claim particularly interesting. If accurate, Trump’s admiration for Khabib is not dependent on the fighter currently competing or holding a championship.

It is instead connected to Khabib’s overall legacy.

Why Khabib remains one of the most recognizable UFC legends

Khabib’s appeal can be explained by the uniqueness of his career.

He retired without a professional loss and left the UFC immediately after defending his lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. His undefeated record remains one of the defining statistical achievements in modern MMA.

But the number alone does not explain his reputation.

Khabib’s dominance came from a highly specialized approach to fighting. He was able to repeatedly force opponents into defensive wrestling situations, control them against the cage and maintain pressure until opportunities appeared.

His style was not based on winning isolated moments. It was based on systematically reducing an opponent’s options.

That consistency helped transform Khabib from an elite lightweight into one of the most debated candidates in discussions about the greatest fighters of all time.

Trump previously discussed Khabib’s greatness with Joe Rogan

There is another important piece of context behind Abdelaziz’s comments.

During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Trump and UFC commentator Joe Rogan discussed the greatest fighters in MMA history. The conversation eventually turned toward Khabib.

Rogan did not immediately select one fighter as the undisputed GOAT. Instead, he referenced several legendary competitors, including Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson and Georges St-Pierre.

Trump then specifically brought up Khabib.

“Khabib is fantastic, but if you looked at accomplishments in terms of championship fights, Khabib retired 29-0, but he didn’t have as many world championship fights.”

The discussion highlighted an important distinction in MMA’s GOAT debate: undefeated dominance and longevity are not necessarily measured in the same way.

Khabib vs Gaethje: why Trump’s reported favorites are so interesting

Putting Khabib and Gaethje together as Trump’s alleged favorite fighters creates an intriguing contrast.

The contrast illustrates two different ways a fighter can become culturally significant.

Khabib’s legacy is associated with control and almost unprecedented consistency. Gaethje’s reputation is built around chaos, resilience and memorable battles.

Yet both have one major thing in common: they have competed at the highest level and developed identities that casual fans can immediately recognize.

Gaethje and Khabib already share UFC history

There is also a direct connection between the two fighters.

Gaethje challenged Khabib for the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 254. The fight ended with Khabib submitting Gaethje, after which the champion announced his retirement.

That fight effectively became the final chapter of Khabib’s active UFC career.

For Gaethje, it was one of the toughest defeats of his career, but the matchup also became part of Khabib’s historical legacy. The American was one of the elite contenders trusted to challenge an undefeated champion at the height of his powers.

That shared history makes Abdelaziz’s comments even more notable.

What makes Trump’s UFC connection unusual?

Trump’s interest in MMA is not simply limited to watching fights from a distance. His repeated interactions with UFC personnel have helped create an unusually visible connection between American politics and combat sports.

UFC events attract a broad audience, and the sport’s popularity has continued to expand well beyond its traditional fan base.

For fighters, a relationship with a major public figure can also increase visibility outside the normal sports ecosystem. A White House appearance, for example, places a fighter in a completely different media environment than a typical post-fight interview.

Gaethje’s recent interaction with Trump therefore matters not only as a personal moment but also as another example of how UFC stars can cross into mainstream cultural conversations.

Could Khabib and Gaethje remain Trump’s favorites?

If Abdelaziz’s description is accurate, the selection makes sense from two different perspectives.

Khabib represents dominance, an undefeated record and a legendary championship run. Gaethje represents an active era of the UFC and a fighting style that consistently produces dramatic moments.

One is a retired icon whose legacy is already secure. The other remains an active championship-level competitor capable of adding new chapters to his career.

That combination also gives Trump two very different examples of what makes a UFC fighter memorable.

The bigger insight: popularity and greatness are not the same thing

One of the most interesting takeaways from the discussion is the difference between being a great fighter and being a fan favorite.

MMA’s greatest-fighter debates usually focus on championships, quality of opposition, longevity, records and dominance. Public admiration can work differently.

A fighter may become popular because of personality, fighting style, national identity, memorable rivalries or the way they connect with an audience.

Khabib and Gaethje demonstrate this from opposite directions.

Khabib’s appeal comes heavily from dominance and the aura surrounding his unbeaten career. Gaethje’s popularity has been fueled by his willingness to participate in spectacular fights and his reputation for never backing away from difficult challenges.

That distinction is important when evaluating any claim about someone’s favorite fighters. Personal preference does not necessarily equal a ranking of the greatest athletes.

What this means for the UFC’s growing mainstream profile

The relationship between major public figures and UFC fighters is increasingly relevant to the sport’s broader growth.

When fighters appear at major cultural or political events, their profiles can reach people who may not regularly watch UFC cards.

Gaethje’s White House appearance is a strong example of that crossover.

For the UFC, these moments can help reinforce the idea that its athletes are no longer confined to the combat-sports audience. The biggest fighters can become recognizable personalities in their own right.

Khabib’s continued presence in conversations about MMA greatness demonstrates the same phenomenon from a different angle. Even years after his retirement, his name remains powerful enough to enter discussions involving major public figures.

Conclusion: Khabib and Gaethje reportedly stand out for Trump

Ali Abdelaziz has claimed that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje are Donald Trump’s two favorite UFC fighters. His comments came while discussing Trump’s interaction with Gaethje following the fighter’s White House visit and his admiration for Khabib’s career.

The claim is particularly interesting because the two fighters represent contrasting forms of MMA greatness. Khabib retired undefeated at 29-0 after a dominant championship run, while Gaethje has built his reputation through elite competition, aggressive performances and an ability to produce memorable fights.

Their connection through UFC 254 also adds another layer to the story, with Gaethje having challenged Khabib for the lightweight championship in what became the undefeated champion’s final professional bout.

Ultimately, Abdelaziz’s comments should be viewed as his account of Trump’s preferences rather than an official ranking from the president. Still, the discussion reinforces how deeply Khabib and Gaethje have embedded themselves in the UFC’s wider cultural landscape.

One fighter represents an almost untouchable legacy of dominance. The other represents the enduring appeal of high-level action and championship competition. If Abdelaziz’s account is accurate, that is quite a combination for any MMA fan’s personal shortlist.