UFC 299 is currently underway in Miami, FL with the pay-per-view portion just a few fights away. But instead of showing ads for the upcoming card starring Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera, ESPN is airing the card from two weeks ago, UFC 298.
The advertisement has aired at least four separate times, maybe more and is highlighting "undefeated at featherweight" Alexander Volkanovski. OUCH. That's embarrassing.
Anyone else notice ESPN is showing the UFC 298 commercials? #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/BfCqRtFqK8
โ Frank (@lastofthefranks) March 10, 2024
Aljamain Sterling noticed the major UFC 299, UFC 298 promo accident
Even former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling noticed the slip up.
"Who keeps showing UFC 298 promos?!" he asked along with crying emojis. The funny thing is Sterling was there, cornering friend and teammate Merab Dvalishvili who defeated Henry Cejudo. They are sharing the promo for that fight too.
Who keeps showing UFC 298 promos?! ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ
โ Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 10, 2024
Here's how MMA Twitter reacted to the ads.
Am I the only one seeing the ufc 298 ad....?
โ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ธ๐ท (@MikeEffinNeylon) March 10, 2024
Yo they just played a commercial to buy UFC 298: Volkanovski vs Topuria..
โ Dan (@BestFightPicks) March 10, 2024
ESPN+ is running a ton of ads for UFC 298 which is...odd
โ Brent Brookhouse (@brentbrookhouse) March 10, 2024
I can't wait to watch UFC 298 #UFC299
โ Anthony Walker (@AntWalkerMMA) March 10, 2024
ESPN+ is playing UFC 298 promos right now. Hilarious. Owned by one of the biggest media conglomerates in the world and still makes hilarious mistakes
โ โโโโโโ (@yeeeeesirski) March 10, 2024
Watching ads for UFC 298 while viewing the UFC 299 broadcast. Time travel rizz.
โ Luke Thomas๐๏ธโโ๏ธ (@lthomasnews) March 10, 2024
Uhhh did anyone else just see a commercial for UFC 298 ๐
โ ๐ Chelsea โจ (@ChelsDiesel) March 10, 2024
Just saw a promo for UFC 298 on ESPN+ just now. Fantastic timing on that one #UFC299
โ Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) March 10, 2024
UFC 298 was an incredible card, there's no doubt. Ilia Topuria became the first fighter to represent Spain and Georgia to become a UFC champion when he defeated Volkanovski.
The co-main featured former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker putting on a war with Paulo Costa, Ian Garry won again and Anthony Hernandez secured a wild submission to defeat Roman Kopylov.
But that took place on Feb. 17, and it should not be advertised when they are trying to sell UFC 299. Something tells me someone will be getting fired in the morning, especially if this impacts actual PPV buys.
For those who are looking to buy UFC 299, you'll get the bantamweight title fight mentioned above plus Dustin Poirier taking on BenoitSaint-Denis. Kevin Holland looks to welcome Michael "Venom" Page to the UFC. Gilbert Burns fights Jack Della Maddalena and in the card opener, former bantamweight champion Petr Yan faces Song Yadong.
There, we did the job for them. Now go buy that UFC 299 PPV.