MMA coach and UFC commentator Din Thomas didn’t mince words when discussing the upcoming women’s strawweight title matchup between Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern scheduled for UFC 321. Speaking on a podcast, Thomas raised eyebrows with his blunt evaluation of the championship contest.
“Has there ever been, and I mean this with all due respect,” Thomas began, before being immediately interrupted by his co-host who pointed out that such a preface typically signals something controversial is coming.
The co-host quipped that anytime someone uses that phrase, “you’re about to say the most disrespectful” comment, adding “You’ve got to say something offensive.”
Undeterred, Thomas pressed forward with his critique: “I’m trying to be as respectful, but has there ever been a more insignificant title fight in the history, not maybe in the history, but in the last recent memory?”
When his co-host responded with “With all due respect, no,” Thomas continued his assessment, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of enthusiasm from the MMA community. “Okay, so you get where I’m coming from here, right? No one seems to even care or have batted an eye at this fight.”
The comments reflect concerns about the level of public interest and mainstream attention the title bout has generated compared to other championship fights. Thomas’s criticism suggests that despite being a title match, this particular matchup has failed to capture the imagination of fans or create the buzz usually associated with UFC championship events.
The forthcoming title fight represents a significant opportunity for both competitors, yet Thomas’s statement raises questions. According to him, the timing, buildup, and the matchup does not carry the weight and prestige that UFC title matches traditionally command.
