“The corruption is just crazy with Zuffa and TKO. I tried to tell you this when I went to Washington last month, but it runs deeper than I ever imagined, man,” said De La Hoya.
“Look, Uncle Fester [Dana White] has been running his mouth about this stupid UFC event at the White House. Yeah. He’s a [expletive] Neanderthal. We all know that. But Americans are [expletive] tired of his [expletive], and they’re finally speaking up.”
De La Hoya then referenced a recently filed lawsuit seeking to prevent UFC Freedom 250 from taking place on White House grounds.
“A retired Air Force sergeant and a Vietnam War veteran, they filed a lawsuit to stop Uncle Fester and the UFC event from happening, stated that it’s illegal to stage a private for-profit sports event on the White House grounds,” said De La Hoya.
“Look, I agree with them.
“Oh, and it gets even more twisted.”
The lawsuit has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the proposed event, with critics arguing that a commercial sporting event should not be staged on federal property. White House officials have defended the plan and dismissed allegations of wrongdoing.
De La Hoya also took aim at President Trump, pointing to reports concerning the president’s investment in TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC and WWE.
“Facts came out that President Donald Trump, he bought $50,000 worth of TKO stock in March and then immediately started promoting the UFC event at the White House,” said Oscar.
“I mean, he will benefit from the rising stock and sales of VIP packages to the event which are priced at more than a million dollars per. I mean, conflict of interest, anybody?
“Not to mention the disrespect to our country. They’re using the Lincoln Memorial for the UFC press conference, which is a slap in the face to every American soldier who fought for this country.”
The former six-division world champion closed by teasing further details for Thursday’s episode and suggested the dispute may not be over.
“Look, I’ll give you all the details on Thursday, plus on a new lawsuit filed against Zuffa from another promoter.
“Hell, maybe even I’ll file a lawsuit before Thursday.”
De La Hoya and UFC president Dana White have traded insults for years, but the Hall of Famer’s latest comments show he is now publicly backing legal efforts aimed at stopping one of White’s most ambitious events.
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