Fans Slam UFC 324: Travis Barker Promo Falls Flat

UFC 324's launch under the new Paramount+ deal was marred by fan discontent, largely due to a promotional segment featuring Travis Barker. The event experienced substantial delays, reportedly 72 minutes, stemming from the cancellation of preliminary bouts. Instead of immediate fight action, viewers were met with panels, filler content, and an extended promo with Barker drumming and drawing parallels between music genres and fighters.

This perceived overproduction and focus on celebrity, particularly Barker's involvement, ignited a strong negative reaction from fans. Many expressed on social media that they felt their time was wasted and that the sport didn't need translation through a celebrity perceived as a "corporate plug." The UFC's brand, built on rawness, seemed at odds with the scripted intro.

Despite the problematic opening, the fights themselves, once they commenced, delivered high-octane action with notable finishes and bonuses. However, the initial fan experience left a sour taste, raising questions about Paramount's strategy and its perceived obsession with celebrity ties. The opening minutes of UFC 324 sent a signal that many fans felt was misaligned with the sport's core appeal and their expectations for a fan-first broadcast.