Dana White has consistently hyped and credited his UFC production team for the work they’ve done over the years. But after UFC 329’s broadcast on Saturday, the UFC CEO was left singing a different tune.
As usual, UFC 329 hosted several notable names and celebrity guests at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Among those in attendance to see Conor McGregor’s ill-fated return fight was pound-for-pound boxer and latest Zuffa Boxing signing Shakur Stevenson, who got a quick-shot appearance on camera. However, the on-screen graphic for Stevenson instead read: “Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Guard, 2025 NBA Champion.”
Play-by-play commentator Jon Anik immediately called out the error and laughed with Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier by his side. When speaking at the UFC 329 post-fight press conference about the moment, White was far less playful.
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“I tell you all the time — my production team, we just did the White House,” a furious White ranted. “We built a f***ing arena on the South Lawn of the White House, and it was the greatest f***ing thing in the world to be there and to watch it on TV.
“I just paid Shakur Stevenson a s***load of money, and for some reason, we can’t figure this celebrity s*** out. They put him up as an ‘OKC’ NBA player. Are you f***ing kidding me? I mean, it’s just absolutely crazy.”
Stevenson’s graphic gaffe is one of many celebrity broadcast blunders over the years during UFC events. Most infamously, another top boxer, Terence Crawford, was once labeled as famous rapper Kendrick Lamar.
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White is never one to shy away from boasting about his accomplishments. Celebrity shots during events, however, aren’t one of them.
“We are the absolute worst to ever do the celebrity thing,” White proclaimed. “I just had this debate with my guys while I was screaming at everybody back there, and they said, ‘No, soccer’s worse. Soccer shows the people, and they don’t put up any graphics.’
“Oh, no. We put up f***ing graphics and put the wrong guy’s name on it. We win. We are the worst ever to f***ing do it.”
