Former UFC champion Tito Ortiz gives props to Dana White while declaring the “death” of Golden Boy MMA.
Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions made its maiden venture into mixed martial arts last November, headlined by the third fight between rivals Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell. Despite the hype behind it, the event reportedly did a mere 40,000 pay-per-view buys for a $40 price point.
Ortiz recently spoke with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter regarding the current status of the promotion, and he had this to say.
Tito Ortiz on whether Golden Boy MMA still exists pic.twitter.com/zS7ISC5DUV
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 4, 2019
“Yea it’s dead,” Ortiz said (transcript by BJPenn.com). “They are just in the boxing business and I can leave it there. I gave them the opportunity to run with something and make it huge but it just didn’t work out. I did what I needed to do promotion wise. Getting ready for the fight it was eighteen weeks and it just ended up getting me another fight in the future.
“I can’t say nothing bad about Oscar because he gave me an opportunity and I am very thankful for it. It’s just one of those things as a promoter, you’ve got to do your homework.”
To support his claim, Ortiz even went on to throw praises towards UFC president Dana White, whom he had a publicized rift with in the past.
“You know a perfect example is Dana White,” he said. “He does his homework, he busts his ass and he does it for the MMA crowd and not just for his family but for fighters and their future.
“Oscar just really didn’t put his homework in and he didn’t do what he wanted to do for mixed martial arts. He’s a boxing promoter, and I guess we will leave it right there.”
Ortiz is even optimistic about White’s long-time plans to venture into boxing.
“Let me tell you, Dana holds so much power,” he said. “Anything he touches he puts his hard work into it and he really prevails. When you’re as successful as (White), it is because he’s put in the hard work and dedication.”
The 44-year-old Ortiz finally notched a win against Liddell in their trilogy via first-round knockout. He is currently looking for a “fun” fight to take, which plans for October.