Political Tribune

Donald Trump, Opinion, Politics

Trump Sidelines Iran Crisis To Compliment UFC Fighter’s Looks — Calls Paulo Costa ‘Too Good-Looking To Fight’

A questionable balance of focus

606
606 points

On Saturday night, as peace talks with Iran were falling apart in Pakistan, Donald Trump was cageside at UFC 327 in Miami, complimenting a Brazilian fighter on his looks.

Paulo Costa knocked out Azamat Murzakanov with a highlight-reel head kick in the third round, then immediately climbed out of the cage to speak with Trump cageside. What came next was a presidential review of Costa’s modeling potential.

“You’re a beautiful guy, great fight,” Trump told Costa. The fighter apparently floated the idea of a modeling career. Trump was fully on board. “You could be a model you look so good,” Trump agreed. “You’re too good looking to be a fighter. You are some fighter. Thank you man.”

Costa kept most of the exchange private at the post-fight press conference.

“As for Trump, I just kind of jokingly talked to him and then I said some things that were personal,” he said. “So just keep it a secret for now. It was just between us.” The secret lasted until the video surfaced, at which point Costa confirmed the modeling compliment was accurate and smiled about it.

Costa later added more context, saying the two talked about Brazil and mutual connections.

“I’m Brazilian, and we have some friends in common. Things aren’t good in Brazil right now, so we had a small chat,” he said. He also apparently asked Trump for an easier job. “I say, ‘Okay, give me a better job, easier job,'” Costa told a reporter. Nobody confirmed whether Trump is currently hiring.

Footage of the president complimenting Costa’s looks cageside made the rounds on X within minutes and nobody was going to let it slide.

The crowd’s reception to Trump at UFC 327 was notably more muted than previous appearances. A viral video from UFC 314 at the same venue a year earlier showed the arena erupting as Trump walked in. Saturday’s reaction was considerably more mixed, with audible booing alongside the cheers.

The night also featured what looked like a tense cageside conversation between Trump and Joe Rogan, who endorsed him in 2024 and has since called the Iran war “insane” and said supporters feel “betrayed.” Whatever they said to each other did not make it onto camera clearly enough to quote, which is probably for the best given the current state of that relationship.

Featured image via X screengrab 

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Terry Lawson

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Terry is an editor and political writer based in Alabama. Over the last five years, he’s worked behind the scenes as a ghostwriter for a range of companies, helping shape voices and tell stories that connect. Now at Political Tribune, he writes sharp political pieces and edits with a close eye on clarity and tone. Terry’s work is driven by strong storytelling, attention to detail, and a clear sense of purpose. He’s skilled in writing, editing, and project management — and always focused on getting the message right. You can find him on X at https://x.com/TerryNotTrump.

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