‘We don’t buy it’: UFC owners respond to complaints over weaker events

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 25: (R-L) Aljamain Sterling punches Youssef Zalal of Morocco in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

With the UFC staging nearly 50 events per year, some are going to end up better than others, but there’s been a growing sentiment lately that the promotion has struggled to build compelling cards.

Whether it’s Fight Night cards at the Meta APEX or events featuring an overwhelming number of newcomers, many signed off of Dana White’s Contender Series, criticism of the matchmaking has gotten louder, especially since the UFC kicked off its new broadcast deal with Paramount in January.

But TKO Group Holdings President and COO Mark Shapiro doesn’t see a problem with the quality of cards being promoted by the UFC.

“Bottom line is we don’t buy it,” Shapiro said on a TKO financial call on Wednesday. “Let’s just start with this premise: The product is great at the UFC. The brand has never been stronger. Our reach has never been greater. So the foundational elements of UFC are in concrete. Anyone that came to our last numbered fight in Miami, which was UFC 327, was flat-out blown away. Or anyone that went to our last Fight Night, which happened to be last week in Perth, Australia. A sellout or even watched it, witnessed an extraordinary sport.

“We are always building in the UFC. We’re in the building phase at all times. We find the best up-and-coming talent around the world and we match them continually in the best fights.”

Shapiro argues the UFC is constantly finding new stars and adding more and more talent to the overall roster, which in turn creates bigger and better events.

“There’s a huge movement right now with all these young fighters coming up in the ranks,” Shapiros said. “Many of them are taking over slots in the top 10 from guys that have been names in the rankings for years. Strong personalities that are busting right now.

“Joshua Van, Brazilian Carlos Prates, undefeated Michael Morales, the next generation. Or look at the White House card, which we put out there is a strong card, we’ve actually added a [fight] to it. UFC Freedom 250, which is stacked top to bottom and we’re using that opportunity to feature one our most promising stars in Ilia Topuria.”