There may be uproar within the MMA community.
UFC president Dana White announced a bunch of major fights to kick off 2026 on Thursday night, however the marquee bouts that can top two numbered events on January 24 and 31 haven’t gone down well.
After Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett headline UFC 324 for the interim lightweight title in Las Vegas, the UFC 325 predominant event will feature featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski running it back with Diego Lopes in Sydney, Australia.
Each fights have received significant backlash, with fans rejecting the suggestion that either Pimblett or Lopes have earned the opportunities that await them next yr.
- LATEST NEWS: Dana White went against Alexander Volkanovski’s wishes by announcing Diego Lopes rematch for UFC 325
Is Paddy Pimblett’s UFC record strong enough to deserve a title shot?
Fans reply to Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett and Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes 2 with UFC ‘boycott’ threats
It’s hard to recall an amazing rejection of fight announcements quite just like the waves of criticism being directed at White and the UFC since Thursday’s reveal.
While the plan will little doubt be to kick off the $7.7 billion broadcast deal between UFC and Paramount in spectacular fashion, the promotion’s fanbase is currently threatening to “boycott” the opening events of the partnership.
Those frustrated with title shot snubs for lightweight Arman Tsarukyan and featherweight Lerone Murphy aren’t shying away from making their voices heard.
“Boycott this PPV.”
“The UFC is a fraud organization. Boycott it.”
“We want to boycott events.”
“Don’t buy tickets, don’t show as much as the weigh-ins.”
“Armenians world wide – it’s time to face united. Let’s boycott the UFC until justice is served.”
“We want to save lots of this sport.”
“UFC is becoming a joke. Boycott the UFC.”
“Everyone should boycott that interim title fight.”
“UFC turning into the WWE, what a joke. The perfect now not fighting one of the best, which is what made our sport one of the best to start with.”
“Boycott UFC right away!”
“Everyone should boycott the UFC! Dana is becoming a liability.”
“The UFC literally slapped you & Movsar (Evloev) within the face Lerone. The fans should boycott this event.”
- THROWBACK: Paddy Pimblett has one huge UFC ambition that is larger than winning a world title
Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes denied UFC 324 predominant event highlight
The choice to have Pimblett and Gaethje compete for interim gold over Tsarukyan was not the one reason behind some fans’ UFC 324 frustration.
While plenty focused on the 155-pound title picture, others have questioned the UFC for putting ‘The Baddy’ and ‘The Highlight’ within the predominant event over the cardboard’s undisputed championship clash.
Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes co-headline UFC 324, because the reigning bantamweight queen welcomes the consensus women’s GOAT and her former American Top Team stablemate back from retirement.
Every fight announced for UFC 324 up to now 🔥
The highest of the lineup continues to cause uproar, but there are quite a lot of undercard fights which have caught the eyes of fans for positive reasons.
Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong guarantees to be an entertaining striking affair, while returns for large names like Rose Namajunas, Derrick Lewis, and Umar Nurmagomedov are also among the many intriguing bouts on offer for the UFC’s Paramount+ debut.