What happened: On The Helwani Show, NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin offered effusive praise for the recent UFC bout between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira. "I don't know that I've ever seen a better fight," Irvin said, calling the action "some of the greatest stuff I've ever seen." Host Ariel Helwani shared the clip across his social channels.

Why it matters: Crossover endorsements from outside-the-sport celebrities like Irvin help amplify flyweight fights that historically struggle for mainstream traction. The Van-Taira matchup has been singled out by multiple voices this week as a standout, with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs also posting about the fight. That kind of organic, cross-sport buzz is what the UFC's flyweight division has long lacked.

What to watch: Watch whether the Van-Taira bout earns Fight of the Night recognition in year-end UFC awards conversations, and whether either fighter parlays the momentum into a ranked matchup next.