UFC veteran Renato Moicano has publicly voiced his discontent with the organization’s growing reliance on artificial intelligence for promotional content. This criticism comes as the UFC appears to be leaning heavily into AI technology, particularly following the AI-generated teaser for UFC Freedom 250, which is scheduled to take place at the White House.
While fans have previously expressed frustration with the UFC’s promotional style compared to the polished presentations of boxing, the organization’s move towards AI has ignited a fresh wave of debate. UFC President Dana White and Chief Content Officer Craig Borsari have indicated a continued commitment to AI and similar technologies, with White dismissively responding to criticism by telling detractors to “shut the fu*k up and watch the fights.”
However, Moicano believes this approach is a disservice to the UFC fanbase. During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the fighter, known as “Money,” argued that a promotion generating record revenue should prioritize high-quality, human-driven production over machine-generated videos. He stated that he did not like the AI-generated promo for the White House event, finding it disrespectful to fans.
Moicano elaborated, suggesting that if the UFC cannot arrange for fighters like Alex Pereira or Ilia Topuria to be present at significant locations for promotional purposes, then the alternative AI-generated content is simply “sloppy.” He concluded by labeling this type of content as “brain rot,” indicating his strong disapproval of its impact on the viewing experience.
English Translation:
UFC veteran Renato Moicano has publicly voiced his discontent with the organization’s growing reliance on artificial intelligence for promotional content. This criticism emerges as the UFC appears to be heavily embracing AI technology, notably after the AI-generated teaser for UFC Freedom 250, slated to occur at the White House.
While fans have historically voiced frustrations regarding the UFC’s promotional approach, often comparing it unfavorably to the polished, larger-than-life presentations seen in major boxing promotions, the organization’s shift towards AI has sparked new debate. UFC President Dana White and Chief Content Officer Craig Borsari have indicated a continued intent to utilize AI and similar technologies. White himself has been dismissive of criticism, famously telling detractors to “shut the fu*k up and watch the fights.”
Renato Moicano, however, holds a different perspective, arguing that this push towards AI-generated content is a disservice to the UFC fanbase. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the fighter, known as “Money,” contended that a promotion generating record revenue should invest in superior production quality rather than relying on machine-made videos. He expressed his disapproval of the AI-generated promo for the White House event, deeming it disrespectful to fans.
Moicano elaborated on his stance, stating that if the UFC is unable to arrange for fighters like Alex Pereira or Ilia Topuria to be physically present at significant locations for promotional efforts, then the alternative AI-generated content is simply “sloppy.” He concluded by characterizing this type of content as “brain rot,” underscoring his strong negative sentiment towards its effect on the audience.