The Golden Globes producer has spoken out in defence of a strange cameo that featured two UFC fighters during Sunday night’s broadcast.
With the UFC now partnered with Paramount, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more of their fighters popping up in places you wouldn’t expect.
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday night, when two well-known faces from the sport made an appearance at the Golden Globes.
Mackenzie Dern, the reigning strawweight champion, and veteran featherweight contender Brian Ortega started off by walking the red carpet. Later on, they showed up again as part of a rather awkward segment inside the venue.
Golden Globes producers respond after UFC cameo confuses fans
This year’s Golden Globes, the 83rd edition, aired on Paramount, which has recently become the new broadcast partner of the UFC in the US.
Given that connection, some kind of crossover was always possible. But what actually happened left a lot of people scratching their heads.
In the middle of the show, Dern and Ortega walked out onto the stage in UFC tracksuits but didn’t say a word or interact with anyone. They just stood there for a few seconds before heading back off stage, with no explanation given to viewers.
The moment quickly made waves online as fans wondered what exactly they had just seen.
Speaking to Deadline later in the week, Kirshner said: “I’ll say this: we were creating this party atmosphere. We were trying to not just represent everything as traditional award shows would present them,”
“Maybe taking a few attention-grabbing moments and all, and UFC is obviously entering a new thing with CBS and Paramount+, so they’re all partners.”
Weiss added: “So, we basically decided to take two elements that are kind of hot right now – you know how much attention it’s getting right now – to juxtapose it with that and create this moment together,”
Ortega gearing up for lightweight debut
Dern has been out of action since claiming the strawweight title at UFC 321 in October, where she won a decision over Virna Jandiroba.
Meanwhile, ‘T-City’ is getting ready for his first fight at lightweight. Ortega is scheduled to face Renato Moicano at UFC 326 in March, marking his move up from featherweight.
- READ MORE: Paddy Pimblett backs ‘perfect’ plan to beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 – “I’ll keep it on the feet”
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