UFC President and CEO Dana White voiced significant displeasure with his production staff following a notable misidentification during UFC 329. Undefeated boxing champion Shakur Stevenson was introduced as an NBA player, specifically Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, during the event.
White described the incident as an "expensive embarrassment," stating that despite his crew's overall competence, they struggle with correctly identifying celebrities. "We are the absolute worst to ever do the celebrity thing. When we put celebrities up, we are the worst," White told reporters.
The mix-up occurred when Stevenson, who has a significant boxing career and was reportedly paid a substantial sum by White's Zuffa Boxing, was shown cageside. The broadcast graphic mistakenly identified him as a player for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This is not the first time the UFC's production team has faced criticism for celebrity misidentifications. Previously, world champion boxer Terence Crawford was labeled as rapper Kendrick Lamar during UFC 306.
Both Stevenson and Jalen Williams appeared to take the blunder in stride. Stevenson posted on social media, "Yea Dana #FireTheyA--," while Williams shared a screenshot of the broadcast on his Instagram Stories with the caption, "Ehh close enough."