Did Secret Service Make Donald Trump Skip UFC 205 Over Security Concerns?

UFC 205 in New York was an event for the ages, and the U.S. President-elect could have been there to see it.

Donald Trump recently told UFC president Dana White he’d attend the big event if he won the election, so after Tuesday’s results, many wondered if Trump would, in fact, show up at Madison Square Garden to watch Conor McGregor battle Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight championship, among other bouts. White even saved Trump a seat.

So, why didn’t the President-elect show up? According to the New York Post, the U.S. Secret Service didn’t want Trump to attend for fear of his safety.

“Trump had been invited to the big event by UFC president Dana White and had expected to attend,” the Post reported Friday. “But the Secret Service is cautioning against it due to security concerns, according to the sources.”

New York has been the site of continued anti-Trump protests over the last several days, with thousands gathering throughout the city to denounce Trump’s legitimacy as the country’s next president.

White said Saturday before UFC 205 that Trump would not be attending the event. There was a Trump in the building, however, as Donald Trump Jr. was in the house with his wife, Vanessa.

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The loaded card provided plenty of entertainment for the sold out crowd, which witnessed McGregor win his second championship belt and Tyron Woodley battle Stephen Thompson to a controversial majority draw.

Thumbnail photo via Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY NETWORK