UFC fans have criticized the promotional poster for UFC 335, labeling it "AI slop" and "cruel" for its depiction of co-headliner Sergei Pavlovich, which has since become an internet meme.
The controversy was reported by Jesse Holland for SB Nation on November 2, 2026. The poster's design sparked backlash on social media, with many suggesting it appeared to be generated by artificial intelligence and poorly represented the Russian heavyweight.
Pavlovich, who earned a TKO victory over Curtis Blaydes at a UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas on April 22, 2023, is featured as a co-headliner for the upcoming event. The negative reaction to the poster has overshadowed the fight announcement, turning the fighter's image into a viral joke rather than a promotional asset.
