Donald Trump has drawn criticism after appearing at a UFC event in Miami with Marco Rubio, even as fragile negotiations with Iran collapsed.

Talks between Washington and Tehran broke down on Sunday after 21 hours without agreement.

JD Vance, who had travelled to Pakistan during the negotiations, admitted that Iranian officials had “chosen not to accept our terms”, including a pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons.Three key disagreements remain unresolved.

Iran insists the Strait of Hormuz will only reopen following a deal, approximately 900 pounds of enriched uranium remains unaccounted for, and Tehran is demanding access to $27 billion in overseas assets.

Despite the diplomatic setback, Trump attended UFC 327 in Miami alongside his daughters Tiffany and Ivanka, his granddaughters Kai and Arabella Rose, Rubio, and UFC president Dana White.

The reaction inside the arena appeared largely supportive based on the Paramount+ broadcast, although loud entrance music from Kid Rock made it difficult to determine whether there were boos among the cheers.

Online, however, criticism was swift, with some questioning the optics of attending a sporting event during heightened geopolitical tensions.

Trump is not the first US president to appear publicly at sporting events during moments of crisis. George W. Bush famously threw the ceremonial first pitch at a World Series game shortly after the 9/11 attacks, while George H. W. Bush opted not to do so during the Gulf War, allowing his wife Barbara to take his place.

Although there had been doubts about Trump’s attendance at the Miami event due to a fragile ceasefire with Iran, the visit did not come as a surprise to many observers. Trump has long maintained close ties with White and the UFC.

Earlier in the day, he had also issued a warning to China over reports it might supply air defence systems to Iran, stating that Beijing would face “big problems” if it proceeded.

White has been a vocal supporter of Trump since his political rise in 2015, even speaking at multiple Republican National Conventions. While some have speculated about a potential political role for the UFC boss, he has dismissed such suggestions, stating he has no political ambitions.

Trump’s association with the UFC has evolved into what some commentators describe as “cage-match politics”, with the former president frequently attending events and receiving enthusiastic receptions from fans and fighters alike.

Looking ahead, Trump is expected to host a UFC event on 14 June at the White House South Lawn as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary.

The card is set to feature a lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, with around 5,000 invited guests attending in person and tens of thousands more expected to watch from a nearby public screening.

However, the event has already attracted criticism from sections of the MMA community. Commentator Joe Rogan has expressed reservations, describing the idea as unwise despite confirming he will attend.

Speaking on his podcast, Rogan also referred to the event, dubbed UFC Freedom 250, as a “gimmick”.

Rogan’s stance reflects a broader cooling in his relationship with Trump. Although he previously hosted the president for a lengthy interview and endorsed him ahead of the 2024 election, he has recently criticised US military actions involving Iran, as well as immigration policies and the handling of high-profile legal matters.

Even so, the two were seen greeting each other cordially at the Miami event, underscoring the complex and evolving nature of their relationship.