Shaquille O’Neal may be a retired NBA legend, but his larger-than-life personality never takes a day off.
At UFC 300 in Las Vegas, the Hall of Famer turned analyst delivered a spectacle that rivaled the action inside the Octagon – and it’s become the talk of social media.
Shaquille O’Neal locks himself in his makeup room and records a video
O’Neal first made waves when he was spotted deep in conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, who also attended the star-studded event. The courtside cameo quickly sparked debate, especially given the politically charged atmosphere surrounding Trump‘s appearance. Though the nature of their discussion remains unknown, fans were quick to dissect the moment, with speculation swirling online.
But the night didn’t end there for Shaq.
Moments after his chat with Trump, the 7-foot-1 giant was seen interacting with fans – and things took a surprising turn.
Shaq playfully puts fan in chokehold
In a now-viral clip, O’Neal jokingly placed a fan in a gentle chokehold, drawing laughs and cheers from those nearby. While the fan appeared more thrilled than threatened, the moment added another layer to the wild energy pulsing through T-Mobile Arena that night. Shaq‘s playful antics reminded fans of his long-standing love for combat sports and his close ties to the UFC community.
Known for his charisma and showmanship, O’Neal has always blurred the lines between athlete, entertainer, and pop culture icon.
His unpredictable UFC cameo only cemented his status as a magnetic presence wherever he goes – whether courtside, cage-side, or on the mic.
From rubbing elbows with political heavyweights to wrestling fans in the crowd, Shaq once again proved that when he shows up, expect the unexpected.