As an early backer of MMA when the sport was shunned by some authorities in 2001, Trump’s relationship with White has led to the UFC supremo becoming an outspoken supporter of the head of state, repeating the sentiments he initially expressed at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Trump was elected later that year and White has again called the President "a fighter", echoing the gushing praise he issued four years ago and expanding on their behind-the-scenes bond.

Addressing a fervent crowd in a state won by the opposition Democrats party at the last election, White announced: "There are things I can tell you about the President of the United States that you don’t hear on TV, that you don’t hear from people.

"I’ve known this man for 20 years. We’ve actually become even closer since he’s become the President.

"I see a lot of things from Mr. Trump that the public doesn’t see. The people who surround me every day see how he treats me as a friend and other people he’s friends with. He’s a fighter, he loves this country, he’s doing great things for this country."

White’s words continue a start to the year brimming with high praise for Trump from some of the most high-profile names in UFC.

In January, Conor McGregor congratulated Trump for being "phenomenal" and "quite possibly the USA goat", adding: "Most certainly one of them anyway, as he sits atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him."