UFC President Dana White: Donald Trump Will 'Get My Vote' for President

Dana White is voting for Donald Trump for president.

The UFC president shared his political inclination on TMZ Sports. The show airs Friday night, but TMZ posted the clip in question earlier on its website.

In the video snippet, White explained his affinity for the controversial businessman and Republican presidential candidate. The reasons were largely related to Trump's personal relationship with White and the UFC: 

"

When we first bought this business, you know, it was banned in most states, it wasn't supported by the athletic commissions and no arenas wanted this thing. And Donald Trump was the first one to have us come out to Trump Taj Mahal. Not only did we host events there, he actually showed up and supported the events. You will never hear me say a negative thing about Donald Trump. ... Donald will get my vote.

"

Though some might argue that the would-be leader of the free world needs a more robust resume, the stance is fairly consistent with how White appears to view and manage his business and personal relationships.

Based on many public accounts, White has always enthusiastically supported and protected fighters and others who display loyalty to him and the UFC brand. Question or cross him, though, and you probably shouldn't expect any flowers or phone calls from Casa De White anytime soon.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

So it stands to reason that Trump, by sole virtue of his early support for the UFC, would be on White's "nice" list, regardless of any other potential considerations.

Trump, who holds a solid polling lead over other Republican presidential candidates, has garnered widespread positive and negative attention for various public comments and policy ideas. Those ideas include convincing Mexican leaders to pay for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and banning Muslims from entering the United States.

Not long after Zuffa (the company White created with casino owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta) purchased the UFC in 2001, the Trump Taj Mahal hosted its first event, UFC 30, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The same venue also hosted UFC 31 a month later.

The billionaire real estate tycoon recently expressed his disdain for Ronda Rousey after the women's bantamweight champion lost a huge upset to Holly Holm at UFC 193. Trump tweeted his derision for the former titleholder:

"

Glad to see that @RondaRousey lost her championship fight last night. Was soundly beaten - not a nice person!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2015"

Last summer, Trump said in an interview that Rousey "likes me" as a political candidate—an assertion Rousey later denied. Just days before UFC 193, Rousey indicated she would vote for Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders for president.

Trump was also involved with the short-lived Affliction MMA promotion.