NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal created a viral moment Saturday night when he greeted President Donald Trump at UFC 314 in Miami. The basketball legend made his way through the Kaseya Center crowd to exchange handshakes and brief words with the 45th and 47th U.S. president, an avid MMA fan.
Video of the encounter quickly spread across social media, showing the 7’1″ sports icon leaning down to chat with Trump during the packed fight card. The impromptu meeting occurred during an event headlined by Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight title redemption against Diego Lopes.
This isn’t the first time the two larger-than-life personalities have crossed paths. O’Neal, now a prominent sports analyst, has previously praised Trump’s business acumen while maintaining his own apolitical public stance. The president regularly attends major UFC events and was seated cageside for Saturday’s bouts.
The Miami fight night delivered several thrilling results beyond the celebrity sighting. Volkanovski regained his 145-pound crown by unanimous decision, while English star Paddy Pimblett stopped Michael Chandler in the co-main event. Mexican fighter Yair Rodriguez also scored a significant win over Bellator champion Patricio Freire.
O’Neal’s appearance continues his long association with combat sports. The four-time NBA champion has trained in martial arts for years and frequently appears at major MMA events.
