The UFC has been getting some backlash after removing one of the “three kings” from an Israel Adesanya quote in the recent Countdown episode.
Adesanya is set to headline this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view event in competition for Dricus Du Plessis’ middleweight title. The Nigerian-New Zealander will shoot for a historic three-time crowning inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
The build-up to Saturday’s numbered event has been relatively heated after Adesanya took issue with some of Du Plessis’ past comments regarding his status as the “real African” in the UFC.
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“The Last Stylebender” has accused the South African of downplaying his achievements, as well as others who came before him like Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou. And the promotion played up to that storyline in its Countdown episode for UFC 305 — only, with just two of the “kings.”
A recent video posted on X by AFeldmanMMA showed Adesanya making note of both Usman and Ngannou, who joined him as the “three kings” hailing from Africa who simultaneously held UFC gold in their possession, during the UFC 305 on-sale press conference.
Accompanying that clip was the same moment shown on Countdown. The moment was heavily edited to remove any mention of the “three kings” and Ngannou.
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) August 13, 2024The first rule of UFC Fight Club: don’t mention Francis Ngannou’s name…
Here’s a look at the clip from the UFC 305 Countdown episode versus what Adesanya actually said at the UFC 305 Pre-Sale Press Conference.
It’s no surprise, but the UFC’s attempt to erase Ngannou from its… pic.twitter.com/PZpA7UAtSe
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The instance marks the latest controversy surrounding the UFC”s attitude toward Ngannou since his departure at the start of 2023.
After he chose to pursue his contractual demands elsewhere, the promotion notably incorrectly branded Tafon Nchukwi the “only Cameroonian fighter in UFC history” during a broadcast.
Fans Slam Continued Ngannou Erasure: ‘UFC Can Try As Hard As They Want…’
Members of the MMA community online were quick to give their takes on the latest example of the UFC looking to avoid any mention of Ngannou.
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Plenty were up in arms, accusing the UFC of attempting to diminish the former heavyweight champion’s legacy. The promotion wasn’t without its defenders, however, in addition to those who took issue with the branding of Nchukwi as the first Cameroonian UFC fighter but saw no issue with the editing of Adesanya’s quote.
This is actually so embarrassing and so so scummy. My god.
— SPG (@SletKentDome) August 13, 2024
— DJ MurkCity (@myrksitymma) August 13, 2024UFC can try as hard as they want
Edit out his name if mentioned
Avoid showing his highlights
Erase his name out your history booksCombat Sports fans will NEVER forget the man who rode off into the sunset with HIS Heavyweight belt to spite you
FRANCIS “LE PRÉDATEUR” NGANNOU😤 pic.twitter.com/R7phaslSBd
Getting the mighty mouse treatment.
— Brax Moore (@brax_moore_more) August 14, 2024
This is actually insane.
— Veluta (@VelutaMMA) August 14, 2024
Yeah I noticed it while watching as well. Disgusting if I’m honest, trying to erase someone’s legacy
— Jeet (@jeetisnotunique) August 13, 2024
— MMA By Milikin (@mmabymilikin) August 14, 2024It's business as usual. The UFC did the same for Randy Couture and Mark Hunt.
A fighter makes Dana mad he tries to erase their legacy.
— MMA Madman (@woodlandmadman) August 14, 2024Along with heavily promoting Jones, he's trying to rebuild the Heavyweight championship after Ngannou left with the undisputed title.
I don't agree with it at all. But It's understandable.
It's so petty. But I don't even understand who exactly makes this decision to rip the video this way
— The Gray Ariia (@GrayAriia) August 14, 2024
Obviously the people.doing the work are just following orders but who is even thinking to cut that out? It's so silly.
Embarassing by the UFC
— Tomasjcj (@tomasjcj) August 14, 2024
He didn't just wake up to leave. He tried not to be a slave to the UFC and they couldn't allow that
— SVIPDAGR THE COLD (@OROBOSKIDO) August 14, 2024
Anybody trying to rationalize this for the ufc is a f*cking lame. Dana wants to chastise the media at every turn but feels he can manipulate, lie and rewrite history. Don’t work that way lil buddy.
— LocoMotives (@christophazz) August 14, 2024
I don't get the butt hurt though???the man is no longer in the UFC you don't see then using Randy Couture or Tito Ortiz in any promo packages so where is the outrage on that ???????
— Ragnar 85 (@SimpsonMbewe) August 13, 2024
It's petty & unprofessional asf. Not a good look for the UFC at all
— Easy (@strawngdogg) August 14, 2024
— Ian Pierre (@IanPierre071) August 14, 2024It's understandable business wise to cut his name out of any promo. But lying about the first Cameroonian fighter in the UFC is f*cked up no matter the angle you view it.
But the president of the company is one of the biggest pathological liars so it's not really a surprise.
And Dana has the balls to talk about how the media manipulates things. JFC this is gross and pathetic. Not a good look for the @ufc amongst other things.
— ryan rapp (@ryan_rapp) August 14, 2024
- Read More: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes Targeted For Undercard Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut
