“Let Me Scream Louder” – Controversy Erupts as Oscar de la Hoya Exposes Dana White’s Early Treatment of Him in Promoting Combat Sports
In the electrifying arena of combat sports, the spotlight has recently shifted from the ring to the boardroom, where the fierce feud between UFC President Dana White and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya has reignited with a vengeance. This latest chapter of their bitter rivalry erupted on August 15, 2024, during De La Hoya’s appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s talk show, Club Shay Shay.
De La Hoya, known for his candidness, did not hold back as he revisited the turbulent history between him and White. Once allies in the early 2000s, their relationship soured dramatically after De La Hoya’s retirement from boxing in 2009 and his foray into the MMA arena. According to De La Hoya, White’s actions to undermine his new venture were not just petty but indicative of a deeper aversion to competition.
The Golden Boy did not mince words when describing his perspective on White’s behavior. “Yeah, we were actually cool. When I first thought about getting into MMA… I strongly feel that he just wanted to bury me, you know. Not have competition, you know. He started talking s**t about me,” De La Hoya revealed, his frustration evident. He criticized White for allegedly disparaging his new business venture and resorting to personal attacks.
De La Hoya’s critique extended beyond the boardroom. He accused White of playing dirty by undermining him publicly and questioning his character. “It’s absurd,” De La Hoya lamented, “because literally I don’t even think about it. We’re in different sports. He does his thing, I do my thing. Just because I wanted to start a little competition, he gets all [bangs his chest like a gorilla] you know. ‘Let me, let me scream louder!’”
The Golden Boy Promotions CEO said, “Yeah, we were. We were actually cool. When I first thought about getting into the MMA… Yeah, I strongly feel that he just wanted to bury me, you know. Not have competition, you know. He started talking s**t about me, you know. Yeah, the… What does he talk about me? The c**e and the p*nty hose… So what? 15 years ago, like, so what! And what that I don’t have friends and like…”
But apparently, the UFC CEO wasn’t a fan of getting tough competition, even though Golden Boy Promotion dealt with boxing and not mixed martial arts. De La Hoya continued, “It’s absurd, because literally I don’t even think about it. We’re in different sports. He does his thing, I do my thing. Just because I wanted to start a little competition, he gets all [bangs his chest like a gorilla] you know. ‘Let me, let me scream louder!’”
The tension between De La Hoya and White has been a simmering issue, coming to a head in various public exchanges. One of the most striking moments occurred when De La Hoya brought up past controversies involving White, including allegations of domestic violence and personal attacks. De La Hoya’s remarks came as a direct challenge to White’s integrity, sparking renewed debate among fans and industry insiders.
In response, Dana White has consistently dismissed De La Hoya’s accusations with scathing remarks. Back in June, White unleashed a tirade against De La Hoya, calling him a “two-faced lying nutjob” and dismissing any prospect of reconciliation. The feud took a more personal turn in 2021, when White and De La Hoya engaged in a heated exchange on social media. The conflict flared up after De La Hoya criticized White for alleged low fighter pay and accused him of hypocrisy.
Lashing out at the boxing promotion CEO, White said, “Oscar De La Hoya, okay, is a f**king is a two-faced lying f**king nut job, you know, and yeah me me and Oscar are never going to be cool.”
White called his rival a “crackhead” and accused him of faking COVID to get out of a bout against Vitor Belfort.
White wrote, “Don’t worry about Volkanovski, you clown. He has a team of very intelligent, sophisticated people behind him and he’s clearly doing very well for himself. If he needs to buy an 8-ball, then maybe he will reach out to you for some guidance. It’s no secret you’re a liar, drug addict and all around scumbag. It doesn’t matter that you ‘laced up the gloves’ and there is no doubt you accomplished big things in boxing but out of the ring you are an absolute f*cking loser.”
White’s response was sharp and incendiary, accusing De La Hoya of drug addiction and financial irresponsibility. This public clash highlighted the deep-seated animosity between the two, underscoring that their rivalry is as much about personal grievances as it is about professional competition.
The ongoing feud between De La Hoya and White is more than just a clash of personalities; it reflects a broader struggle for dominance in the combat sports industry. As De La Hoya continues to push back against White’s tactics, the controversy remains a hot topic among fans and critics alike, ensuring that the battle between these two influential figures will continue to captivate audiences.
Editor’s Value:
This ongoing feud serves as a potent reminder of how personal rivalries can influence the larger dynamics of the sports industry. The animosity between De La Hoya and White not only provides dramatic content but also highlights the complex interplay between business interests and personal vendettas in the world of combat sports.
