During the recent broadcast of UFC 306, a significant mix-up occurred when boxing champion Terence Crawford was mistakenly identified as rapper Kendrick Lamar. The incident took place on September 14, 2024, at The Sphere in Las Vegas, marking this venue’s inaugural hosting of a combat sports event. The Sphere, which has previously hosted a variety of major acts such as U2, Phish, and Dead & Company, is a $2.3 billion arena known for its impressive technology and immersive experiences.
As viewers tuned in, many quickly caught the broadcasting error when Crawford was shown cageside but labeled as Kendrick Lamar. This confusion sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling humorously remarked, "Terance Crawford evolved into Kendrick Lamar tonight" on Twitter/X, capturing the lighthearted spirit surrounding the mix-up.
Crawford himself responded to the blunder via his Instagram story, sharing a screenshot of the error and including Kendrick Lamar's track "Euphoria" as the soundtrack. The song, which features a line referencing Crawford, highlights their crossover into each other's realms, as Lamar previously included Crawford in his diss track aimed at Drake. Interestingly, this is not the first connection between Crawford and the hip-hop world; last year, Eminem even walked him to the ring for a title fight, choosing "Lose Yourself" as the entrance music.
On a related note, Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the upcoming 2025 NFL Super Bowl LIX Halftime show scheduled for February 9, taking place at the Caesar Superdome in New Orleans. This event promises to be significant, with rumors suggesting possible appearances by iconic British band Oasis during the performance. The speculation has ignited excitement and discussions among fans about the potential setlist, amid other performers like Kero Kero Bonito.
As the public continues to engage with this humorous broadcasting mishap, both Crawford and Lamar are positioned prominently in their respective industries, bridging the gap between sports and music.