Former UFC fighter and commentator Daniel Cormier and Eric Trump have both denied the authenticity of direct messages allegedly exchanged between them regarding potential match-fixing at the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House. The controversy erupted after screenshots of the messages were posted on Cormier's now-deleted social media post, which claimed Trump inquired about rigged fights. Both parties have since dismissed the messages as fabricated.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
- Cormier posted and later deleted screenshots of alleged direct messages with Eric Trump, suggesting Trump asked if UFC fights at the White House were rigged. The post included a statement from Cormier refusing to stay silent about the matter.
- Eric Trump denied the messages, calling them "completely fake" and stating he had never spoken to Cormier. Cormier later claimed his account was hacked and denied posting the messages.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
The Alleged Messages
The screenshots showed Trump allegedly asking, "Are any of the fights tomorrow rigged?" and referencing a specific fight involving Brazilian featherweight Diego Lopes, who won his bout. Cormier's post included a statement condemning "insider behavior" and expressing concern for the integrity of the event.
Responses from Cormier and Trump
Cormier initially posted the screenshots with a statement saying, "I refuse to stay silent," but later deleted the post and cryptically wrote, "Are people really this dumb?" When questioned by journalists, Cormier denied posting the messages, attributing them to a hacked account. Eric Trump also denied the messages, calling them "AI-generated" and "scary."
Event Outcome
The UFC Freedom 250 event proceeded without any reported incidents of match-fixing. The event marked America's 250th birthday and coincided with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
Journalist Interviews
Journalist Nicholas Ballasy spoke to Cormier after the event, who reiterated that the messages were not real. Cormier also dismissed the idea that he had posted them, stating, "F**k no, why would I do that?" when asked if he had authored the messages.