Al Iaquinta Criticizes UFC for Promoting Pink Haired 'Guy That Smokes Weed'

Iaquinta Criticizes UFC for Glorifying Weed Smokers Over Disciplined Fighters like Merab Dvalishvili😲

"UFC promotes the guy that smokes weed, and all these little kids are smoking weed and have pink hair. If UFC wanted, they could change the world.

Advertisement

They could go, 'Look at… pic.twitter.com/6jRrdsbxPk

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 10, 2025

Al Iaquinta believes the UFC can change society by promoting a disciplined fighter like Merab Dvalishvili. 

Dvalishvili dethroned Sean O'Malley, who has been marketed to be one of biggest stars of the sport, at UFC 306 last year. “The Machine” submitted O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316 last weekend. 

It is no secret that UFC puts its promotional muscle behind fighters who it believes can be big draws. However, Iaquinta believes it would serve society better for the UFC to hype up a fighter like Dvalishvili, who is an epitome of discipline. While Iaquinta didn’t name O’Malley, he isn’t impressed with kids being influenced by a fighter “having pink hair” who “smokes weed.”

“Sports change society,” Iaquinta said on Aljamain Sterling’s YouTube channel. “UFC promotes the guy that smokes weed, and all these little kids are smoking weed and have pink hair. If UFC wanted, they could change the freaking world. They could go, 'Look at Merab, this guy came from the Republic of Georgia, he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he works hard.' How many kids in the audience have pink hair?... You could change the world for a better place if you f—-ing get behind this dude.”

O’Malley was a massive advocate of marijuana legaliaation. While his stance on the drug might still stand, “Suga” quit smoking ahead of his UFC 316 rematch against Dvalishvili. 

Meanwhile, Iaquinta reached his career peak in a bid for the vacant lightweight title against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, which he lost. “Raging” rebounded with a win over Kevin Lee but dropped three in a row right after. Iaquinta announced his retirement in 2021 following a knockout loss against Bobby Green.