The long-running feud between UFC chief Dana White and boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya has flared up again, this time over allegations that White tried to embarrass the Golden Boy founder at the recent Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn fight in New York. De La Hoya, who skipped the event in protest, claimed that White and his production team were setting him up for a public humiliation. White, however, has firmly denied these accusations, insisting that he would never cross that line, no matter how much he dislikes someone.
White's counter-story: The Vince McMahon ticket snub
Speaking to reporters after a Contender Series event, White addressed the controversy head-on. To illustrate his point about not holding grudges in professional settings, he recalled a personal experience involving former WWE chairman Vince McMahon. At Ronda Rousey's debut match in New Orleans, White arrived at the box office only to discover that no tickets had been left for him. He had to make frantic calls and eventually watched the show from standard arena seating. The story, White suggested, shows that even when he's been slighted, he doesn't retaliate by sabotaging someone else's event.
White also clarified the seating arrangements for De La Hoya at the Garcia-Benn card. He insisted that the Hall of Fame boxer was fully aware of his ticket placement in the VIP celebrity section. White emphasized that while he would never invite someone he dislikes under false pretenses, he also wouldn't mistreat a business partner in a co-promotional deal. As for complaints about how Golden Boy staff were treated, White directed De La Hoya to take those issues up with Turki Alalshikh, the co-owner of Zuffa Boxing.
The tension between White and De La Hoya is nothing new. The two have traded barbs for years, with De La Hoya often criticizing White's management style and White dismissing De La Hoya's boxing acumen. This latest dispute, however, highlights how personal animosity can spill over into major pay-per-view events. For fans, it's a reminder that behind the glitz of fight night, there's often a web of grudges and power plays.
De La Hoya's decision to skip the event was a bold statement, but it also underscores his ongoing frustration with the direction of the sport. As a promoter, he's been vocal about wanting to protect his fighters and his brand. The fact that he felt the need to protest suggests that the rift between him and White is deeper than just a disagreement over seating.
White, for his part, maintains that his personal feelings never interfere with his professional duties. He reiterated that even fighters or business partners he dislikes are treated fairly within his promotional ecosystem. Whether that's true or not, the public spat serves as a reminder that in the world of combat sports, the drama often extends beyond the ring.
This isn't the first time De La Hoya has been in the headlines for off-ring matters. Recently, he handed over $13.5 million in Puerto Rico properties to his ex-wife as part of their divorce settlement. And while his personal life has been a tabloid staple, his professional battles with White are just as compelling.
As both Zuffa Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions look to the future, the unresolved tension between these two titans is likely to continue. For now, fans can only watch and wonder what the next chapter in this saga will bring. One thing's for sure: the rivalry between Dana White and Oscar De La Hoya is far from over.
