Oscar De La Hoya has long been a vocal critic of Dana White\u2019s Zuffa Boxing project and he\u2019s drawing from a recent pop culture phenomenon for his latest volley.<\/p>\n
Citing Christopher Nolan\u2019s hit film The Odyssey, the boxing legend explained why fans shouldn\u2019t be fooled by Zuffa Boxing boasting about huge paydays for major signings, because that kind of money is likely to become rarer and rarer if more fighters flock to White\u2019s fledgling promotion.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I saw The Odyssey the other day,\u201d De La Hoya said in Instagram video. \u201cIt was about the Greeks and how they invaded the city of Troy by disguising themselves inside a Trojan Horse. They tricked their enemies to get inside their gates and the rest is history. Today, Zuffa Boxing is the Trojan Horse.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are overpaying a few boxers to make it seem like this big money will continue, but it won\u2019t. Once they monopolize the sport like they want to, Zuffa will pay fighters peanuts, exactly like the UFC. It\u2019s the same model. They want to change the Muhammad Ali Act so they can operate as their own league with their own rules, their own rankings, their own unicorn belt. They\u2019re luring in the biggest names for fight-by-fight deals. No long contracts. That\u2019s why you see Shakur and Conor fighting a one- or two-fight deal. Never a long-term deal. But again, this is the Trojan Horse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite launching a little over a year ago, Zuffa Boxing has managed to ink several big-name boxers including Shakur Stevenson, Conor Benn, and Jai Opetaia. The trio were reportedly signed to short-term contracts for millions of dollars, reigniting a controversy over the relatively low pay of average UFC fighters, the same fighters who sacrificed their health and well-being to help build White\u2019s empire.<\/p>\n
In De La Hoya\u2019s opinion, the controversy only aids White and company\u2019s preferred message.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are overpaying the household names in order to look pretty and gain credibility,\u201d De La Hoya said. \u201cSo more up-and-coming fighters will sign with them, and mark my words, once they get you to sign, they\u2019re going to scale all payment back just like they have with the UFC. That\u2019s the goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem is the younger generation feels this kind of money will be available to them at Zuffa Boxing, but the truth is that they\u2019ll be tricked into a very shitty contract where they must fight for only the unicorn belt, the Zuffa belt and The Ring belt, which lost all its credibility. It\u2019s now a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n
White has frequently stated his goal is to disrupt the boxing establishment and with a handful of events under his belt now, the results have been mixed. However, De La Hoya argues that Zuffa Boxing has succeeded in establishing a foundation similar to the UFC and if aspiring fighters buy into the project, they will be sorely disappointed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere\u2019s an example of how they\u2019re already making up their own rules,\u201d De La Hoya said. \u201cRing Magazine rules state that if you fail to schedule a fight in two years against a top 5 contender, you will be stripped. That means Jai Opetaia should have been stripped in May because he chose to fight a cab driver in Zuffa\u2019s basement instead of a top 5 contender. But Ring Magazine didn\u2019t strip him. Why? Because Zuffa makes up their own rules. Even the IBF stripped Jai Opetaia of their belt because they don\u2019t recognize the Zuffa unicorn belt that they keep trying to push down fighters\u2019 throats.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd poor Jai Opetaia, I feel so bad for him because Zuffa has him suing the IBF on their behalf. He\u2019s literally fighting the legal fight for Zuffa, it\u2019s truly disgusting. Look, once they have their monopoly, nobody will get paid anymore. They need all of you to be hooked in by this ridiculous overspending you\u2019re seeing right now, but that cannot be sustained. Just like LIV Golf. So don\u2019t be the city of Troy, guys. Don\u2019t sell out and don\u2019t open your f*cking doors. The writing is on the wall. And \u2018Uncle Fester,\u2019 f*ck you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Retirement? Kamaru Usman left wondering what\u2019s next<\/a> after lopsided UFC Oklahoma City loss to Dricus du Plessis.<\/p>\n Pain. Magomed Ankalaev calls losing Alex Pereira championship rematch \u201cthe worst day of my life.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Rankings. Could Paddy Pimblett actually become UFC lightweight champion someday?<\/a><\/p>\n Once. Dana White confident \u201cthere\u2019s never going to be another Conor McGregor.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Damn. Saturday\u2019s PFL Washington D.C. event has lost Shamil Musaev from its headlining bout.<\/a><\/p>\n Off. And UFC 330 has also taken a hit<\/a> with Erin Blanchfield being forced to withdraw.<\/p>\n Mike Heck chats with Magomed Ankalaev ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n UFC Abu Dhabi ceremonial weigh-ins.<\/p>\n SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE<\/p>\n Adding to the repertoire.<\/p>\n What is dead may never die.<\/p>\n Jovan Leka (13-2) vs. Alexander Poppeck (21-5, 1 NC); UFC Belgrade, Aug. 1<\/p>\n Darren Elkins (29-12) vs. Yadier del Valle (10-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8<\/p>\n Amanda Lemos (15-6-1) vs. Alexia Thainara (14-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8<\/p>\n Diego Ferreira (19-7) vs. Billy Quarantillo (18-7); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8<\/p>\n Ty Miller (7-0, 1 NC) vs. Billy Ray Goff (9-4); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8<\/p>\n Juliana Miller (4-4) vs. Ravena Oliveira (7-4-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8<\/p>\n Steven Asplund (7-2) vs. Guilherme Pat (6-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8<\/p>\n Louie Sutherland (11-5) vs. Jose Montanha (5-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8<\/p>\n Diyar Nurgozhay (11-2) vs. Bruno Lopes (14-3); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Big vs little <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n How many Mighty Mouse would it take to defeat Jon Jones? Then, how many 13 year gray belts would it take to overwhelm Bones in the Apex Octagon? <\/p>\n Rec 1CommentsThin Stroke Comment Icon BubbleReplyRead 4 replies<\/p>\n Big thanks to Jed Meshew for holding things down on the Morning Report while I was on vacation. I\u2019m back and ready for UFC Abu Dhabi! Don\u2019t forget it\u2019s an early morning card, so be up bright and early Saturday to catch the show.<\/p>\n Magomed Ankalaev fights for the first time since his ill-fated Alex Pereira rematch, that\u2019s pretty cool, right?<\/p>\n If you find something you\u2019d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKLee<\/a> or @JedKMeshew<\/a> on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitch<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n