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UFC: Dana White doing a ‘phenomenal job’ during coronavirus, says Oscar De La Hoya

  • Boxing legend and rival promoter praises UFC president for ‘defending his sport’ amid the Covid-19 crisis
  • White has fiercely criticised Golden Boy CEO, but De La Hoya says ‘I commend and respect Dana’

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UFC president Dana White speaks at a press conference in New York. The UFC is returning to competition on May 9 with three shows in eight days in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo: AP
Nicolas Atkin

Well, Oscar De La Hoya appears to have extended an olive branch to Dana White in their bitter feud.

The boxing legend and Golden Boy Promotions CEO has been fiercely criticised by White in the past, but he praised the UFC president for ploughing ahead during the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC is set to return to action with three cards in eight days, starting on May 9, in Jacksonville, Florida.

“I commend and respect Dana,” De La Hoya told CBS Sports’ “State of Combat” podcast with Brian Campbell. “We did have our differences. When I wanted to get involved with the MMA, I did Chuck Liddell [vs] Tito Ortiz. It was a huge success. I dipped my toes into the water and I experienced it. It was actually wonderful. I love the MMA.

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“Dana came out and criticised me, ridiculed me and all that stuff. You know what? Dana is doing a phenomenal job in defending his sport, growing his sport, and he’s doing it big. He’s doing it great, man. I commend him.”

The UFC 244 main event between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is shown on screens at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Boxing partners DAZN network and Golden Boy Promotions delayed the start of the WBO light heavyweight title fight between Canelo Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev until after the conclusion of UFC’s pay-per-view event. Photo: AFP
The UFC 244 main event between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is shown on screens at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Boxing partners DAZN network and Golden Boy Promotions delayed the start of the WBO light heavyweight title fight between Canelo Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev until after the conclusion of UFC’s pay-per-view event. Photo: AFP
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White was mad at De La Hoya for putting on a trilogy fight bringing Liddell out of retirement against fellow former UFC star Ortiz in 2018, especially after De La Hoya criticised him for promoting Floyd Mayweather’s boxing bout with Conor McGregor.

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