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While the UFC enjoyed a largely productive and stellar 2024, not all of it was positive. As is always the case, the promotion faced a few controversies this year. In some cases, it was minor, but in others it drew more attention, especially when high-profile fighters were involved.
Fortunately for the promotion and its reputation, there was little attention given to its pay structure this year. Instead, some of its other decision-making drew scrutiny and the conduct of its fighters is what raised eyebrows.
So, with several controversial events in 2024, which were among the most notable?
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#5. The UFC signing Kai Asakura for a title shot
UFC 310 served as the promotional debut for former two-time Rizin bantamweight champion and Japanese superstar Kai Asakura. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by the fact that Asakura's debut involved an opportunity that almost everyone else has to work much harder for.
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He was given an immediate title shot upon his debut, taking on flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. Worse still, he headlined the event. This drew tremendous attention from the MMA world, with many critical of the UFC's decision to award an undeserving Asakura with a title shot.
Moreover, it served as evidence of how thin the flyweight division is as well as the promotion's disinterest in investing in it. Despitie all of the expectations ahead of his debut, Asakura was dominated and submitted by Pantoja within two rounds.
#4. Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov 2, UFC 310
On the same card as the first entry, yet more controversy arose. Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov met for a highly anticipated rematch. While the Frenchman had won their first bout via unanimous decision, their second outing was far more competitive, and it was evident from round one.
Volkov had improved, matching the former interim heavyweight champion in the striking department, with very little to separate their statistics. Moreover, the towering Russian did what many fear to against Gane: kick him liberally. He even outwrestled the Frenchman in several instances.
Unfortunately, the judges felt that Gane had done enough to win, handing him the victory to the outrage of spectators. Many screamed that a robbery had taken place, and even Gane himself seemed upset by the verdict, almost walking out of his post-fight interview.
#3. Michael Chandler's cheating at UFC 309
Michael Chandler's reputation has taken a significant hit as of late. Whether he's receiving criticism for his supposedly poor career decision-making or fight IQ, there have always been detractors for the former Bellator lightweight champion. At UFC 309, though, he faced intense criticism.
'Iron' took on Charles Oliveira in a rematch of their UFC 262 lightweight title clash, which Oliveira had won via knockout in round two. Chandler spent large stretches of the rematch getting outstruck and outwrestled. However, he did have several notable moments. Unfortunately, they were negative and defined by cheating.
Check out Michael Chandler's back-of-the-head shots:
Chandler grabbed the fence, hooked his fingers in Oliveira's gloves, and most egregiously, struck his foe on the back of the head multiple times. He was viciously attacked by the MMA fandom for it, given the serious consequences such actions can lead to. Chandler, though, remained unapologetic, sparking further outrage.
#2. Conor McGregor pulling out of UFC 303
UFC 303 was meant to host Conor McGregor's long-awaited octagon return. It had been three years since fans had seen the Irishman fight, and many were eager to watch him finally put his saga with Michael Chandler to bed. Unfortunately, the fight never took place, and it may very well never happen now.
With sold-out tickets for both the event and the pre-fight press conference, the MMA world was abuzz, awaiting a vintage McGregor performance on the mic in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland. However, just a day before the presser, the promotion announced that McGregor would not turn up.
No explanation was given and some began to wonder if the fight would take place at all. Days afterward, it was revealed that McGregor had fractured his big toe and was withdrawing from the bout, stunning fans, with some fighters mocking him for pulling out due to a fairly inconsequential injury that many fight with.
#1. Khalil Rountree Jr.'s UFC 307 title shot
There are several reasons behind the controversy surrounding Khalil Rountree Jr.'s light heavyweight title shot at UFC 307. Ahead of his bout with reigning 205-pound kingpin Alex Pereira, 'The War Horse' was nowhere near championship territory. He wasn't in the top three, nor was he in the top five.
In fact, he was the #7 ranked fighter at light heavyweight. That alone left observers scratching their heads. What was worse, though, was the fact that Rountree had just returned from a two-month suspension for taking 5a-androstanediol, 5b-androstanediol, and androsterone: all steroids.
"Can't believe what I just saw announced! So a guy pulls out of a contender fight because of faiiled drug test for a banned substances and gets rewarded with a title shot?!!"
The banned substances he had taken had knocked him out of a title eliminator with Jamahal Hill, who was rightfully frustrated with his ex-opponent being gifted an undeserved title shot. Ultimately, Rountree faced Pereira anyway and suffered a fourth-round TKO loss.
