Shakur Stevenson was briefly shown on camera and misidentified on the UFC 329 broadcast, a graphic error that drew an immediate, public rebuke from UFC president Dana White. The on-screen label listed Stevenson as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams, turning what was meant to be a celebratory moment into an embarrassing production mistake aired to millions.
What happened at UFC 329
During a high-profile cageside camera sweep at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, the broadcast landed on four-division boxing champion Shakur Stevenson and displayed an incorrect graphic naming him as Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The mislabeling ran on the live feed and appeared in replayed highlights, quickly drawing attention from viewers and turning social feeds to the gaffe.
Shakur Stevenson misidentified on air
The mistake was visible during the segment that showcased celebrities and cross-sport attendees. While such errors can be brief, the visibility of a live broadcast meant the misidentification spread across social platforms and was discussed widely throughout the night.
Dana White’s postfight criticism
Dana White made his displeasure clear to reporters after the event, stressing the promotional cost and the embarrassment the mistake caused. “I just paid Shakur Stevenson a s— load of money, and for some reason, we can’t figure this celebrity thing out,” White said when describing the incident and broader frustrations with celebrity graphics.
He quoted the on-air error directly while calling out production staff. “They put him up as a f—ing OKC NBA player. Are you f—ing kidding me? It’s absolutely crazy,” White told reporters, according to his account. He described a heated backstage exchange and warned that ongoing mistakes would lead to personnel consequences if not addressed.
Social reaction from Stevenson and Williams
Both athletes responded with humor rather than escalating the matter. Stevenson posted on social media: “Yea Dana #FireTheyA–,” a brief post that acknowledged White’s rebuke while keeping the tone light. Jalen Williams, the NBA player whose name appeared on the graphic, shared a screenshot of the broadcast to his Instagram Stories with the caption, “Ehhh close enough.”
Their responses kept the moment from becoming a direct rivalry between the athletes, even as the promotion addressed internal fallout. Fans and commentators used the clip to mock the production but largely saw the athletes’ reactions as playful.
Context and past production errors
This incident follows previous high-visibility graphics mistakes that have drawn scrutiny. Critics have pointed to past gaffes — including a widely covered mislabeling at UFC 306 — to argue that the promotion needs stronger verification checks. White referenced earlier errors in his remarks, suggesting the problem may be structural rather than a one-off slip.
Repeated on-air mistakes create reputational risk for a live-sports broadcaster: they can overshadow the sporting action, frustrate talent, and become viral touchpoints that define an event for audiences beyond the live crowd.
What comes next for UFC production
White signaled he expected corrective action. While no specific firings were confirmed publicly at the time of reporting, likely next steps for the UFC production team include a formal review of graphics workflows and added verification steps. Concrete measures the promotion could adopt immediately include:
- Requiring dual verification for celebrity and VIP on-screen graphics, with one on-air producer and a backup check before roll.
- Creating a last-minute on-site confirmation process for high-profile guests tied to the event rundown.
- Retraining or temporarily reassigning staff responsible for graphics to ensure consistent standards during major events.
- Updating pre-show briefs and checklists to include photographed ID or official talent lists for celebrities and cross-sport guests.
Beyond internal fixes, the UFC may issue faster public corrections when errors occur and refine PR talking points to contain fallout. For viewers, the immediate expectation will be fewer on-air mistakes and more transparent acknowledgements when they happen.
Key takeaways
The misidentification of Shakur Stevenson at UFC 329 became a viral moment that overshadowed parts of the event coverage. While Stevenson and Williams responded amicably on social media, Dana White framed the error as unacceptable and said it demanded internal corrective measures. Repeated graphics gaffes increase scrutiny on the promotion’s live-broadcast processes and reputational risk.
Frequently asked questions
Was Shakur Stevenson actually misidentified on air?
Yes. During the UFC 329 broadcast a cageside camera showed Shakur Stevenson while a graphic labeled him as Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What did Dana White say about the error?
White publicly scolded production, saying, “I just paid Shakur Stevenson a s— load of money,” and adding, “They put him up as a f—ing OKC NBA player. Are you f—ing kidding me?” He described a heated backstage exchange and indicated personnel consequences could follow.
Could UFC production staff face consequences?
White indicated personnel consequences were possible and described the mistake as unacceptable. No specific firings or disciplinary actions had been confirmed at the time of reporting; his comments reflect his account and intent to address the problem.
Related: Latest News — Related story: Fox News / Outkick report on the misidentification
Source: Fox News / Outkick
