Dana White and the UFC are setting a precedent this week.
The fight card for UFC 332, scheduled for Saturday, October 3, in Salt Lake City, Utah, is remarkably underwhelming compared to recent numbered UFC events. It’s challenging to find a reason to be excited about this particular lineup.
This card seems designed primarily for diehard fans or those who have exhausted other entertainment options. Former world boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi recently put the issue into perspective during an interview with USA TODAY Sports, stating, “Good fights can be made, but people need to see the recognizable names.”
A successful card relies on star power—and this one lacks it entirely. This event likely only came together because of the end of the pay-per-view era, with Paramount+ replacing ESPN as UFC’s streaming platform.
The main event features Natalia Silva and Wang Cong battling for the vacant women’s flyweight championship. While both fighters are skilled, neither commands marquee status worthy of headlining such a card. Silva is on a 14-fight winning streak, but her last five victories were all by decision. Cong boasts a 10-1 record but only two knockouts, meaning this 25-minute title fight risks being dull.
Responsibility for this lackluster card rests squarely with UFC CEO Dana White. Recently, he has been preoccupied with the high-profile boxing match between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, as well as his ongoing feud with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn—which White ultimately lost. It raises the question of whether White’s focus has shifted away from UFC.
Although White claims he leaves matchmaking to his team, a promoter of his caliber would likely stay more engaged to avoid assembling a card as weak as UFC 332. On the main card’s 10 fighters, only four are ranked within the top 15, and only one is ranked above No. 8.
The co-main event is a bantamweight bout between Deiveson Figueiredo and Payton Talbott. While Talbott has demonstrated knockout power, his No. 12 ranking begs the question of whether he deserves to co-headline.
Fans will see lightweight veteran King Green face Esteban Ribovics. Green, however, is 40 years old and carries the wear and tear of 54 professional fights, which could affect his performance.
Khaos Williams offers some excitement, but he’s coming off losses in two of his last three fights before his welterweight bout against Roberto Soldic. Meanwhile, Ateba Gautier, notable for his impressive physique, will fight Roman Kopylov in a middleweight match, but Gautier’s body alone hasn’t earned him a spot in the top 15.
Ultimately, the UFC 332 card is unlikely to rank highly in terms of quality or fan appeal.
This piece first appeared on USA TODAY: UFC 332 is shaping up as one of the UFC’s worst cards | Opinion
Fan Take: For fight fans, the lack of big names and star power on UFC 332 is a worrying sign that the promotion may be losing its edge in delivering compelling events. If this trend continues, it could dampen fan enthusiasm and hinder the sport’s growth going forward.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
