The 83rd Golden Globe Awards delivered plenty of memorable moments, but one of the most talked-about cameos came from an unlikely source — the UFC. During Sunday night’s broadcast, reigning strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern and veteran featherweight contender Brian Ortega appeared on stage in UFC tracksuits. The fighters stood silently for several seconds before walking off, leaving viewers puzzled.
UFC Meets Hollywood
The Golden Globes aired on Paramount this year, marking the first edition since the UFC partnered with the network and CBS. That connection made a crossover possible, but the execution caught fans off guard. Dern and Ortega had already walked the red carpet earlier in the evening, but their on-stage appearance sparked confusion online. Social media lit up with questions about the segment, with many wondering what the fighters were meant to represent.
Producers Respond
Golden Globes producer Jesse Kirshner defended the decision in an interview with Deadline. “We were creating this party atmosphere,” he explained. “We were trying to not just represent everything as traditional award shows would present them.” Executive producer Glenn Weiss added that the cameo was designed to grab attention. “We basically decided to take two elements that are kind of hot right now… to juxtapose it with that and create this moment together,” he said. The producers acknowledged the segment was unconventional but insisted it aligned with their goal of making the show feel fresh and unpredictable.
Fighters in Focus
While the cameo may have been brief, both fighters are making headlines in their sport. Dern has been sidelined since winning the strawweight title at UFC 321 in October, defeating Virna Jandiroba by decision. Ortega, nicknamed “T-City,” is preparing for his lightweight debut. He is scheduled to face Renato Moicano at UFC 326 in March, marking his move up from featherweight.
A Sign of More Crossovers?
With UFC’s partnership with Paramount and CBS, fans can expect more appearances like this at major entertainment events. The Golden Globes cameo may have been awkward, but it succeeded in sparking conversation — exactly what producers intended.
