Gov. Ron DeSantis received a roaring welcome as he arrived at UFC 273 Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida, high-fiving people as he walked to his seat in a champion style that resembled the popularity of a presidential candidate.
Ron DeSantis given a champion prize fighter’s welcome at UFC last night.
Listen to the crowd roar.
This is why Democrats are abandoning Florida. They have utterly lost the culture war. Other red state governors take note.
The base demands fighters ?
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) April 10, 2022
The Florida governor was the first to open a state to an indoor sporting event with a crowd at full capacity amid the coronavirus pandemic in April 2021.
DeSantis sat cageside next to UFC President Dana White during the event and was shown on the Jumbotron flashing a smile and two thumbs up as the crowd cheered Saturday night.
Desantis at UFC. Yeah I’m thinking he’s running pic.twitter.com/LnlGOclgm3
— coochie (@Kindlad69) April 10, 2022
As video and photos of DeSantis surfaced on social media, many suggested his appearance could foreshadow a 2024 presidential run.
One Twitter user also noted the irony of Disney-owned ESPN broadcasting the event.
Ron DeSantis, who is currently waging a war against Disney, is at a UFC event being broadcast by ESPN, who is owned by Disney.
— Suzanne (@SoozieCuzie) April 10, 2022
WATCH GOV. GREG ABBOTT WARNS OUTRAGE OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL TOP INFLATION CONCERNS
DeSantis shared photos of himself at the UFC event.
Congrats to @danawhite and @ufc for another great event in Jacksonville for #UFC273
Three years in a row! pic.twitter.com/tNGEsT2NHA
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) April 10, 2022
He recently touted raising $100 million for his 2022 reelection efforts, signaling to the Republican Party that he is capable of garnering deep support from major donors.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Because Florida has a two-term limit for governors, DeSantis would be out of office by 2026, should he be reelected this November.
