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UFC 306 (Noche UFC) is set to celebrate Mexican history. However, a popular MMA influencer has criticized the promotion's choice to focus on Mexican heritage for the event, arguing that it is "pandering" and lacks genuine representation.
In a promotional video for the event, UFC President Dana White stated:
"Some of the baddest people, to ever walk the face of the earth have been Mexican..."
However, MMA Guru, a popular podcaster, took issue with this statement, pointing out that no Mexican fighters are currently ranked in the top 15 of any UFC division above lightweight.
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In a lengthy X post, he wrote:
“Some of the baddest people, to ever walk the face of the earth have been Mexican" There are neither of the only two male Top 15 ranked fighters out of Mexico on the card. No Yair, no Moreno Mexico doesn't have a single fighter on the roster above Lightweight at 155. Not ONE. Wait for the talent, then do this. Don't just force it before when they have barely any presence in the entire sport. Talent and success should drive location and the theme of an event. This is pandering. but well done this will teach Canelo a lesson right…”
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Check out the post below:
Fans quickly agreed with MMA Guru's assessment, with many commenting that the promotion's focus on Mexican heritage seemed forced and disingenuous. Some fans even suggested that the event was simply a "money grab" for the UFC.
“It’s an obvious money grab for DW [Dana White] and his cabal of owners. It seems forced, it doesn’t really connect with the fans at least from my perspective it doesn’t. I think it’s just another big miss by DW and let’s be honest it seems like he has more misses than he has hits nowadays.”
Another fan added:
“No reason for this card to be Mexican themed at all… More than half the ppl they showed in that clip are literally American 🫵”
Check out some of the fan reactions below:
Noche UFC: A look into the UFC 306 fight card
As the promotion celebrates Mexican Independence Day with Noche UFC, the Riyadh season fight card promises to deliver electrifying action. The Noche UFC fight card is as follows:
Main Card (Pay-Per-View):
- Men's bantamweight (135-pound) title fight: Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili
- Women's flyweight (125-pound) title fight: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko
- Men's featherweight (145-pound) bout: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
- Lightweight (155-pound) bout: Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics
- Men's flyweight (125-pound) bout: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode Osbourne
Preliminary Card (ESPN / ESPN+):
- Men's bantamweight (135-pound) bout: Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng
- Women's bantamweight (135-pound) bout: Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
- Lightweight (155-pound) bout: Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
- Men's flyweight (125-pound) bout: Édgar Cháirez vs. Kevin Borjas
- Women's Strawweight (115-pound) bout: Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza
Fans can watch the action live by purchasing UFC 306 Riyadh Season UFC Noche Pay-Per-View on UFC's official website.
