UFC Apologizes for Mistaking Terence Crawford for Kendrick Lamar

Joe Rogan clarifies the on-air mix-up was an honest mistake, not an intentional disrespect toward the boxing legend.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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During a UFC event at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024, the production crew mistakenly identified boxing star Terence Crawford as Grammy-winning artist Kendrick Lamar while he was featured on the 'crowd cam' segment. This unexpected misidentification sparked speculation about whether the mistake was intentional or accidental. UFC commentator Joe Rogan later addressed the situation, emphatically denying any purposeful disrespect toward Crawford and explaining it was simply a careless on-air mistake by a staff member.

Why it matters

The viral moment underscored the tensions and misunderstandings that can arise when different sports worlds collide, especially involving a high-profile figure like Terence Crawford. The incident also sparked conversations about recognition and respect for athletes crossing into other sports environments.

The details

Terence Crawford, renowned as one of the greatest boxers in history, retired after his significant win over Canelo Alvarez last year. Despite stepping away from professional boxing, Crawford remains an enthusiastic UFC fan, regularly attending high-profile events. During the UFC 306 event at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024, Crawford was featured Octagonside alongside Turki Alalshikh during the broadcast's 'crowd cam' segment, but the production crew mistakenly identified him as Grammy-winning artist Kendrick Lamar.

  • The incident occurred during the UFC 306 event at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024.
  • Terence Crawford retired from professional boxing after his significant win over Canelo Alvarez last year.

The players

Terence Crawford

A renowned boxer who is considered one of the greatest in history. He retired from professional boxing after his significant win over Canelo Alvarez last year, but remains an enthusiastic UFC fan.

Joe Rogan

The UFC commentator who addressed the situation and emphatically denied any purposeful disrespect toward Crawford, explaining it was simply a careless on-air mistake by a staff member.

Turki Alalshikh

An individual who was featured Octagonside alongside Terence Crawford during the UFC 306 event at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“No. No way. No way. No, no, no, it was just some moron in the truck”

— Joe Rogan, UFC Commentator (The Joe Rogan Experience)

“No. 100 percent, they did not do that on purpose. No one in the UFC would ever disrespect you like that. No one would disrespect you like that. No chance. They did not do that on purpose. That was just some dumba-- that thought that you were Kendrick Lamar for some reason. It was so stupid. And then I think they corrected it later in the broadcast. I don't know who it was. I didn't want to know. I'd yell at them.”

— Joe Rogan, UFC Commentator (The Joe Rogan Experience)

What’s next

No clear next steps are mentioned in the article.

The takeaway

The viral moment underscored the tensions and misunderstandings that can arise when different sports worlds collide, especially involving high-profile figures. The incident also sparked conversations about recognition and respect for athletes crossing into other sports environments.