A mix-up during UFC 306 identified boxer Terence Crawford as rapper Kendrick Lamar, causing a stir among viewers and social media.
During UFC 306, which took place at Sphere in Las Vegas, an unexpected mix-up occurred that drew considerable attention. The broadcast identified Terence “Bud” Crawford, the reigning WBA and WBO light middleweight champion, as the renowned Grammy Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar. This error was especially notable given Crawford and Lamar’s distinct appearances.
The incident happened during the women’s flyweight title contest between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. The camera cut to a prominent figure sitting cageside, and the broadcast graphic erroneously labeled him as Lamar. The person in question was actually Crawford, who was attending the event to watch Canelo Alvarez’s victory over Edgar Berlanga.
The gaffe quickly became a talking point on social media. Many viewers expressed their surprise and amusement at the error. The discrepancy was particularly glaring since Crawford and Lamar are easily distinguishable from one another. Crawford, known for his boxing prowess and athletic build, bears little resemblance to Lamar, the acclaimed musician known for his distinctive style and artistic persona.
Crawford himself took the mistake in stride. He shared a screenshot of the broadcast graphic on Instagram, humorously captioning it with “Damn Kendrick Lamar” and adding laughing emojis. To further play along with the mix-up, Crawford even played Lamar’s song “Euphoria” in his post.
UFC CEO Dana White addressed the incident with a mix of amusement and embarrassment. When asked about the mistake,
White said, “I don’t know who the hell did that. That was pretty bad. He did kind of look like Kendrick Lamar, though. Let’s not f*** around. He kind of did look like Kendrick Lamar. …So when I say that we had a flawless production tonight, I take that back.”
White’s comment highlighted the absurdity of the situation, acknowledging the error while attempting to brush off the embarrassment.
This mix-up comes at a time when Crawford’s career is gaining significant momentum. The 36-year-old fighter, who won his most recent bout against Israil Madrimov in August, is poised for future high-profile matchups. Crawford is currently the WBA and WBO light middleweight champion and is expected to face Sebastian Fundora next, as mandated by the WBO. Additionally, Crawford has been linked to a potential bout with Canelo Alvarez, which has fueled speculation and anticipation within the boxing community.
Crawford’s presence at UFC 306 also raised eyebrows due to his close proximity to Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh. Alalshikh’s involvement in Crawford’s attendance and his remarks about securing a big fight for Crawford, particularly against Canelo Alvarez, suggest ongoing negotiations. Alalshikh had previously mentioned his commitment to guaranteeing Crawford a significant fight, underscoring the high stakes and future prospects for the boxer.
The incident at UFC 306, while amusing, also highlights the occasional pitfalls of live broadcasts and the challenges of accurately representing high-profile attendees. It also brings to light the broader context of Crawford’s career and the excitement surrounding his future bouts. As Crawford continues to build his legacy in the boxing world, such humorous errors are unlikely to overshadow his accomplishments and the anticipation of his next big fight.
While the broadcast mistake at UFC 306 was an amusing and memorable error, it also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of live sports media. For Terence Crawford, the incident provided a moment of levity in what is shaping up to be an exciting period in his career.
