5 of the worst UFC call-outs in 2024 feat. Shara Magomedov and Israel Adesanya

The UFC not only boasts some of the world's greatest MMA fighters but is also filled with undeniably charismatic personalities. Some of them, such as the legendary Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen, are gifted orators. They're known to cut promos and issue call-outs so well that they could give the best professional wrestlers in the WWE a run for their money.

Nevertheless, not everyone can make an impact with their words. An important element of combat sports trash talk issued a noteworthy call-out to one's rival or potential opponent. While fighters like McGregor, Sonnen, and Nate Diaz have issued some iconic call-outs in the past, 2024 witnessed a few underwhelming ones. Today, we look at some of the worst call-outs in the UFC from 2024.

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#5 Joaquin Buckley's widely derided call-out of UFC icon Conor McGregor

After defeating Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision at UFC St. Louis in May 2024, welterweight Joaquin Buckley was interviewed by UFC legend Michael Bisping. 'New Mansa' thanked his hometown fans, in addition to expressing his respect for his beloved grandmother.

However, he then issued an expletive-laden call-out to former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor, bringing the latter's family into it. McGregor was expected to face Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout in June 2024.

He insinuated that McGregor was bullying Chandler, a lightweight fighter, and others like Sean O'Malley and Ryan Garcia. Daring the Irishman to bully him, Buckley added:

"I did research on the McGregor name. And you come from a long, long line of McH*e! Your daddy was a h*e. No, no, no, no. Your granddaddy was a h*e. No, no, no. Your great-great grandpappy was a h*e. So I guess it's safe to say your mama raised a h*e!"

"And guess what? If you don't respond -- and I bet the money I ain't even got, that you won't -- the whole world will know I'm telling the truth. It's my time. And if you wanna be the king, you gotta behead the king. It's time to take the throne."

Legends like Daniel Cormier lambasted Buckley for the call-out, in response to which he traded barbs with 'DC', though that feud subsequently de-escalated. Meanwhile, most fans condemned Buckley's call-out of McGregor, for the familial angle and also because they viewed his call-out's delivery as unimpressive.

Check out Buckley's call-out below (0:52):

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#4 Alexandre Pantoja calls out retired MMA legend

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja impressively defended his championship by submitting Kai Asakura in the headlining match of UFC 310 on Dec. 7, 2024. Pantoja then called out former UFC flyweight champion and former One Championship flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. The Brazilian fighter stated:

"Yeah. And this is fight. This is special for some retired fighter. He don't fight anymore. He retired this year. But this is something message for you, Demetrious Johnson. I'm the G.O.A.T. here. If you want to prove you're the G.O.A.T., come back."

Johnson, who's considered among the all-time greats, announced his MMA retirement in September 2024. Taking to his YouTube channel, 'Mighty Mouse' reacted to Pantoja's call-out and underscored that he wasn't interested in unretiring, even indicating that he'd consistently maintained that he isn't looking for an MMA fight.

Many fans sounded off on Pantoja for calling out the retired legend rather than using his time on the mic -- in the UFC 310 headlining spot nonetheless -- to set up a better matchup with a feasible call-out.

Check out Alexandre Pantoja's interview and call-out below (1:09):

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#3 Michael Chandler's paradoxical call-outs

Michael Chandler suffered a unanimous decision defeat in his thrilling rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in November 2024. During his post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan, he referenced UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and called out BMF champion Max Holloway:

"Joe, all I know how to do is throw American badas* caution to the wind. Madison Square Garden, are you not entertained? Hey, I had a bunch of call-outs. I was supposed to show up tonight, do my job, and win the fight. Forget calling out Islam. Charles is doing that next. Maybe Max Holloway for the BMF belt."

After reaffirming that he'd like to fight Holloway for the BMF title, something he's teased in the past, Chandler once again called out ... you guessed it right -- McGregor. Chandler said:

"Or, Conor McGregor! If you can ever get your house back in order, while us real professionals have been keeping the octagon warm, we're wondering where you've been, Conor. Come back and beat me, if you can! Do you have any more questions, Joe?"

'Iron's' oratorship was as impressive as ever, but it's the content of the call-outs that elicited backlash from some fans -- truly paradoxical in how it was received. The Holloway call-out got lukewarm reactions from netizens, whereas he was trolled for his seemingly unending pursuit of a fight against Conor McGregor.

Check out Michael Chandler's call-outs below:

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#2 Merab Dvalishvili's missed call-out of Umar Nurmagomedov

Merab Dvalishvili dethroned 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley via unanimous decision to capture the UFC bantamweight championship in September 2024. Their fight headlined the UFC 306 (aka Riyadh Season Noche UFC) event at the unique Sphere venue in Vegas.

The consensus number-one contender, the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, was present and shown on-screen during Dvalishvili's post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan. 'The Machine' spoke about how it was just another day for him at the office and seemed elated. However, the atmosphere drastically changed when Rogan asked him about possibly facing Nurmagomedov next.

Dvalishvili responded by addressing his respect for UFC CEO and president Dana White and signaled that he'd like to have a closer relationship with White:

"I just win the belt. I was working 12 years when I came here. I was working at vacation. I respect and I love Dana White. Whatever he wants."

The Georgian-American fighter also implied that all people are normal and deserve respect but didn't answer Rogan's question about Nurmagomedov:

"We are normal. You have to respect everybody. Because there is only one God."

The newly-crowned bantamweight kingpin's non-call-out of Nurmagomedov wasn't well received by the MMA community, as many accused him of attempting to evade a fight against 'Young Eagle.' Regardless, Dana White subsequently stated that Dvalishvili recently requested a fight against Nurmagomedov. They're scheduled to clash at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, 2025.

Check out Merab Dvalishvili's comments below (3:16):

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#1 Shara Magomedov calls out Israel Adesanya

Shara Magomedov is fresh off a knockout victory against fellow striking savant Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 in October 2024. During his post-fight octagon interview with UFC legend Daniel Cormier, Magomedov proceeded to call out combat sports megastar and ex-UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya:

"Thank you very much. I'm happy, very happy. Listen to me, guys! I'm the best striker in this division. I'm smash Israel Adesanya."

A panting Magomedov added:

"Stay in your seats. This island captured -- this island captured 'The Pirate.' Don't panic. Dana White, I came for my gold."

Magomedov, who hails from Dagestan, Russia, appeared to have trouble issuing a fiery call-out fluently in English. However, that wasn't the only problem. Several fans suggested that Shara 'Bullet's' momentum, from the rare double spinning back fist knockout against Petrosyan, was dented due to his repeated stumbling and (at times) incoherent call-out.

Adesanya later took to his YouTube channel and jibed at Magomedov over the call-out. To his credit, Magomedov recounted an interesting anecdote about the double-spinning back fists supposedly being the first move shown to him by his brother.

Presently, Adesanya is booked to fight Nassourdine Imavov, while Magomedov faces Michael 'Venom' Page, on Feb. 1, 2025.

Check out Shara Magomedov's call-out of Adesanya below (0:34):