“I paid $80!” Women’s UFC 313 bout called ‘DEI hire’ as ex-fighter FLAMES Dana White for worst fight in history

Brendan Schaub calls Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo 'worst' fight on UFC CEO Dana White's UFC 313 PPV card, last weekend.

“I paid $80!” Women’s UFC 313 bout called ‘DEI hire’ as ex-fighter FLAMES Dana White for worst fight in history

Brendan Schaub scuffles with Dana White over UFC 313 PPV offering (Source: X/IMAGO)

Ex-UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub was not happy with UFC headman Dana White’s latest Pay-per-view offering. Specifically, Amanda Lemos’ UD sweep over Iasmin Lucindo at UFC 313 PPV main card, this past weekend at T-Mobile Arena.

Retired UFC HW Brendan Schaub has had his reasons to scuffle with White and company. Alex Pereira’s shocking PPV title loss at UFC 313 did not help the case either, with Schaub terming it a nightmare. However, one mundane scrap on the $80 PPV card left “Big Brown” furious and red instead. Amanda Lemos defeated Iasmin Lucindo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

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Buddy, it is the worst fight in UFC history…Whoever thought to put her and her opponent on a main card in a UFC [PPV], it is such low-level skill-wise fighting; …I don’t know if it’s a DEI hire here. I don’t know what’s going on,I don’t know what’s going on, but Dana, Mick Maynard, Sean Shelby, love you guys, …but f—ng stop it —— Because I paid $80! When you display that, it hurts your brand.

Brendan Schaub on his ‘Thiccc Boy’ Podcast (@ThicccBoy)| Episode 426

The affair was a slow running. It also came right after Mauricio Ruffy cleared house on King Green via a KOTY-contender first-round spinning wheel kick. The second main card opener (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET) thus left space to want more. This puts Marajo Brothers Team’s Amanda Lemos in a mixed bag of 3-2 in the last few. She lost to big names Virna Jandiroba and Zhang Weili but won against Mackenzie Dern.

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Meanwhile, the brilliant Iasmin Lucindo, 23, sees her 4-fight momentum snapped and her skill ceiling slated against a veteran. While not on the lines of disgracing them as catfights, Schaub thinks these aren’t the two biggest strawweight names to have on a main card. That, too, where a name like “Poatan” was up headlining. Schaub had other issues about it all, as well, sending notice to Dana White.

Brendan Schaub talked more on UFC 313 ‘watered-down’ snoozefest amid ESPN+ stream issues

The top-heavy UFC main card failing to entertain in the low-pecking lineup has been a big issue. Even historic events (like UFC 300 PPV last April) aren’t immune to this. UFC 300, for example, got flak for a triple header where a WMMA title fight controversy was sandwiched between two electric fights. Former top-15 UFC HW Brendan Schaub sees this as exploitative from Dana White and the UFC brass.

Brendan Schaub slams Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo as 'worst' amid ESPN+ debacle
Brendan Schaub slams Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo as ‘worst’ amid ESPN+ debacle (Source: X)

There were other issues with the night as well. The sale stump for UFC 313 on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View was a hectic one. There were no rebates on the $80+ pay-per-view debacle, even if many were unable to watch. Bantaweight talent Marlon Vera complained on socials that he “Just bought the PPV and can’t see —Come the fu*k on, ESPN!” Frankie Edgar and Schaub himself also said the same.

Given the whole ordeal, Schaub had to find ‘other ways’ to get creative and stream it. Especially as he thinks Amanda Lemos or Iasmin Lucindo are not the most “technical” offerings for a main card spot with such hiccups. He said the watered-down scrapper and the streaming issues were a real hassle for the weekend.

Many think this will be the final driver for a new broadcast deal that is not with ESPN. During UFC 313’s post-fight presser, White did nudge that TKO wasn’t happy about it. On a small note of consolation, ESPN+ account holders can now watch other barnburners or Brazil’s Fighting Nerd Ruffy ninja-kicking again, for free! However, there’s one match Schaub just won’t back and binge, and he’s made it clear.

Related: UFC’s $1 billion decision: Explaining Dana White spear-headed company’s next big TV rights deal