The Misfits Prime card, featuring KSI, Logan Paul, Dillon Danis, and other influencers, may not have delivered exciting fights, but the popularity of influencer boxing is unlikely to decline anytime soon as long as the top guys continue to participate and draw interest from their fan base.
Over the weekend, there were several notable events in combat sports that caught people’s attention. Edson Barboza‘s stunning comeback at UFC Vegas 81 and the Pat Miletich-Mike Jackson controversy garnered some interest. However, the main focus seems to be on UFC 294 and the Misfits Prime Card. Many are questioning the future of influencer boxing, despite its current popularity.
The Misfits Prime Card drew a significant amount of interest, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver in terms of quality fights. The main event between KSI and Tommy Fury was widely considered one of the worst fights of the year. Similarly, the co-main event between Logan Paul and Dillon Danis was also lackluster. However, it seems that the fans who tune in for these events are more interested in supporting their favorite influencers rather than the actual fights themselves. As long as the top influencers continue to participate and draw in their fan base, influencer boxing is likely to continue, even if it is considered a passing fad.
Another topic of discussion is the change in the UFC 294 card. Charles Oliveira‘s injury led to Alexander Volkanovski stepping in against Islam Makhachev. While a rematch between Makhachev and Volkanovski was highly anticipated, the circumstances surrounding this fight are less than ideal. Volkanovski is coming off hand surgery and is stepping in on short notice, while Makhachev was originally preparing to face a very different opponent in Oliveira. These factors may affect both fighters’ performances and the outcome of the match. Additionally, the possible outcomes of this fight may cause further complications in the lightweight and featherweight divisions, potentially delaying other deserving contenders from receiving title shots.
The co-main event of UFC 294 also saw a change, with Kamaru Usman replacing Paulo Costa to face Khamzat Chimaev. While this matchup is more intriguing to many, the disappointment lies in the fact that Dana White has already announced that the winner will receive the next middleweight title shot. This decision disregards the accomplishments of Dricus du Plessis, who has worked hard to earn a title shot. The UFC’s poor planning and decision-making is frustrating and may discourage fans from supporting such decisions.
In conclusion, the combat sports world was buzzing with various events over the weekend. Influencer boxing may be a passing fad, but it will continue as long as the top influencers are willing to participate. The change in the UFC 294 card has raised concerns about the quality of the fights and the impact on the divisions. The UFC’s decision to prioritize certain fighters over more deserving contenders is disheartening for fans. Despite the flaws and disappointments, combat sports remains a popular and ever-evolving industry.