UFC 279 fans booed in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday (September 10) before chanting “USA” as the fight card kicked off in Las Vegas.
The UFC pay-per-view, which took place at T-Mobile Arena, began with a brief tribute to the Queen, who passed away on Thursday (September 8).
A moment of remembrance also began, but many fans in the 18,000-capacity venue reacted with boos and chants of “USA,” as reported Adam Hill on the Las Vegas Review Journal and as noted by numerous UFC 279 viewers on Twitter.
“UFC PPV opens with moment of silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth, who is greeted with boos and then USA chants,” Hill tweeted.
The Queen died aged 96 on Thursday and was succeeded by her son Charles III as Britain’s monarch.
Many sporting events in the UK were canceled over the weekend of 10 and 11 September, including Premier League football matches.