The upcoming UFC numbered event on October 3 has drawn such an underwhelming response that even Israel Adesanya mistook it for a Fight Night card.

The former two-time middleweight champion made the admission while discussing the UFC 332 card with Demetrious Johnson on their Precision with Mighty & Izzy podcast. What Adesanya said when asked about the card made it clear just how little attention the event had received from those like him.

“I don’t even know who’s the main event,” Adesanya admitted.

The two then burst out laughing when they were told the main event was the women’s flyweight bout between Natália Silva and Wang Cong.

“Oh, it’s not a Fight Night? Oh, really? Oh, snap!” Adesanya added. “I thought it was a Fight Night. I saw the ad on the banner on the thing. I just thought that was a Fight Night. Dang! Okay, Okay!”

This is pretty much what the reaction to the UFC 332 main event has been ever since it was announced a couple of weeks ago.

While Israel Adesanya has been critical of UFC cards before, like the company’s lack of promotion around Belal Muhammad’s first title defense at UFC 315, this marks the first time ‘The Last Stylebender’ has labeled a numbered event “a Fight Night,” and there’s some validity behind his disapproval.

UFC 332 took shape after Valentina Shevchenko relinquished the women’s flyweight championship because of an injury a few weeks ago. She was earlier roped in to defend her title against the top contender Natália Silva. But the injury threw a wrench into those plans. Rather than hold up the division while recovering, Shevchenko decided to vacate the title.

That left UFC in a lurch with only a few weeks to go before the event. This prompted the promotion to book Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong for the vacant flyweight title as the main event of UFC 332.

Both fighters have established themselves as dangerous strikers, but the matchup does not carry the same name recognition as some of the championship bouts typically associated with numbered UFC events. That has become one of the main talking points surrounding the October 3 card.

The response was noticeable even when the UFC announced the lineup during UFC Paris on September 5. Paul Felder and Michael Bisping were tasked with selling the card to the crowd, and Felder later revealed that fans had turned his reaction into a meme.

“Oh man, when we had to hype it up, people are like, ‘Why is Felder looking at us like it’s our fault?'” the former UFC lightweight said on the On the Mic with Paul Felder podcast.

However, the lack of star power at the top doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t meaningful fights elsewhere on the card.

UFC 332 carries plenty of stakes beyond the headliner

For those who may not know, UFC 332 would mark the promotion’s fifth visit to Salt Lake City, Utah. The latest card follows the UFC’s prior visit to the state two years ago for UFC 307, where Alex Pereira defended his light heavyweight belt against Khalil Rountree in an exhilarating clash that ended with ‘Poatan’ knocking out his opponent in the fourth round.

Plus, the promotion’s latest visit to Utah would mark the first event to air on CBS following their landmark $7 billion deal with Paramount+ CBS. Though the headliner didn’t live up to expectations, the co-main event definitely screams banger.

Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo returns to action against Payton Talbott in the co-headlining spot. ‘Deus Da Guerra’s run at 135 lbs has been a lackluster affair so far, with him dropping four of his last five bouts. Talbott, on the other hand, is quickly climbing the ranks after beating Felipe Lima and former two-division champion Henry Cejudo last year.

Given the stakes surrounding this veteran-versus-up-and-comer clash, Figueiredo previously shared his thoughts on the ongoing backlash over the card he’s scheduled to compete on. 

“About the criticism, it’s a little annoying,” Figueiredo told MMA Fighting. “But I’m sure that all the fighters the UFC put on the card are ready to have a great fight, you know? And what looks weak can become strong. I’m sure — especially me, man, I’m ready to have a great fight.”  

Besides the co-main, the UFC’s return to Utah next month features other exciting matchups, such as middleweight knockout machine Ateba Gautier facing a credible challenge from Roman Kopylov. Plus, King Green returns to take on another rising contender in Esteban Ribovics.

However, former lightweight king Rafael Dos Anjos returning after two years to face Alexander Hernandez in a lightweight bout in the prelims is also gaining traction among fight fans. So, beyond the main event, fight fans definitely have plenty to look forward to.

And while Israel Adesanya’s reaction has added another layer to the criticism surrounding UFC 332, the card still has several fights with meaningful stakes.

The main event will ultimately determine whether the criticism follows the card into fight night. Natalia Silva and Wang Cong now have the opportunity to change the conversation when they compete for the vacant flyweight title on October 3.