Just a few years ago, N3on’s name was synonymous with chaos rather than credibility in the UFC world. The livestreamer was escorted out of a major fight event, publicly dismissed by Dana White, and widely labeled a clout-chaser after talking on stream about confronting Donald Trump at UFC 296. For many fans, that moment felt like the end of N3on’s brief flirtation with combat sports. Instead, it became the setup for a surprising reinvention. In 2025, the 21-year-old resurfaced during UFC 323 weekend, not as a fan or fighter, but as a digital host directly tied to the Octagon itself, proving that internet influence can still find new doors into traditional sports.
How N3on went from UFC exile to a central figure in a multimillion-dollar digital drop
N3on’s return came through an unexpected lane: Web3-style collectibles. On December 7, he hosted Telegram’s UFC Strike Gift Drop, a live digital auction synchronized with UFC 323. Rather than chasing attention from the crowd, he streamed alongside the release of limited UFC-themed digital gifts, instantly drawing massive online engagement.“I’ve streamed with a bunch of people,” N3on told TMZ Sports ahead of the event, “but these are real, real stars. All the biggest fighters are coming together for this.” The roster backed up that confidence. Fighters like Jon Jones, Alex Pereira, Israel Adesanya, Charles Oliveira, Sean O’Malley, Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev, and Alexander Volkanovski were all part of the drop.\Fans bid using Telegram’s Stars currency on mystery boxes tied to 10 fighters, with standard and Golden-tier options that could be upgraded within the app. The four-hour auction sold out completely, with all 60,000 gifts claimed and millions generated in Stars, marking one of the most successful UFC-linked digital activations to date.Despite his proximity to elite fighters, N3on has made it clear he won’t be fighting anytime soon. “There was a point in my life where I was like, ‘Yeah, bro, I wanna do this, I’m gonna beat anyone that comes my way,’” he previously told TMZ, adding, “But I just don’t think it’s in me.”Still, he hasn’t avoided physical reality checks. Earlier this year, UFC prospect Raul Rosas Jr. put him through a brutal gym session that left no illusions intact. Outside MMA, N3on continues to expand, landing a record deal with EMPIRE, collaborating with major rappers, and entering business ventures like Iggy Azalea’s MOTHERLAND casino.Once written off, N3on’s UFC reentry shows how digital relevance, when redirected, can reshape a public narrative, without ever throwing a punch.Also Read: RaKai fires back at Ironmouse after she says Streamer Awards interaction made her feel uncomfortable
