Controversial social media figure Andrew Tate stepped into the boxing ring for the first time on Friday night, challenging Misfits heavyweight champion Chase DeMoor in Dubai. The headline bout capped off the influencer boxing promotion's final event of the year, drawing significant attention amidst ongoing legal controversies surrounding Tate.
The Main Event: A High-Stakes Debut
Andrew Tate, a former world champion kickboxer who retired from that sport five years ago, put his reputation on the line for his professional boxing debut. His opponent, Chase DeMoor, entered the contest as the defending Misfits heavyweight champion, marking his seventh fight of a busy 2025. The bout was scheduled for six three-minute rounds. The event proceeded despite public calls for Tate not to be given a platform, as he faces criminal charges in multiple countries – allegations he consistently denies.
Undercard Action and Notable Fights
The Misfits Mania card featured a full slate of bouts beyond the main event. In an early preliminary fight, Britain's Jak Corrie secured a first-round victory over Yaroslav Mazharov. Corrie maintained his composure against an aggressive start from Mazharov, eventually finding his range with a sharp jab and combinations. A powerful right hand sent Mazharov to the canvas; though he beat the count, the referee waved off the contest seconds later after a second knockdown.
The card also featured several other high-profile matches. UFC legend Tony Ferguson took on Warren Spencer, while Carla Jade defended her title against Taylor Starling. The full fight card, as scheduled, was:
- Sultan Babakhanov vs Arun Anil (4 x 3 min, Pro) - 4pm
- Carla Jade vs Taylor Starling (5 x 2 min, MF) - 5.10pm
- Dynamite Lopez vs Louis Garcia (8 x 3 min, Pro) - 5.40pm
- Tai Emery vs Pearl Gonzalez (5 x 2 min, MF) - 6.25pm
- Amir Anderson vs Joe Laws (8 x 3 min, Pro) - 6.55pm
- NICHLmao vs Ben Williams (5 x 3 min, MF) - 7.40pm
- Neeraj vs Anthony Taylor (6 x 3 min, MF) - 8.15pm
- Deen The Great vs Armando Vargas (6 x 3 min, MF) - 8.50pm
- Tony Ferguson vs Warren Spencer (5 x 3 min, MF) - 9.30pm
- Andrew Tate vs Chase DeMoor (6 x 3 min, MF) - 10.30pm
Context and Controversy
The event highlighted the continued blending of influencer culture and combat sports. For Tate, the fight represented a return to competitive combat after a five-year hiatus, albeit in a different discipline. The build-up was overshadowed by his legal situation, sparking debate about providing a global stage to individuals facing serious allegations. For Misfits Boxing, the card served as a major year-end spectacle, leveraging the notoriety of its headline star to draw viewers to a full night of professional and influencer bouts.
