Oscar De La Hoya Says Chuck Liddell And Tito Ortiz Are Going To Make The Most Money They Have Ever Made In Their Careers
Golden Boy Promotions head honcho Oscar De La Hoya has already revealed the date and location for trilogy fight between a UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz which is set to go down on Nov. 24 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
Pay in the world of MMA has been a hot topic for a long time now, with De La Hoya also disgusted by the pay structure and has finally taken his first step in promoting MMA. He’s seemingly open to lock down any MMA fighter who are disgruntled with their current employers. Former boxing star promises the trilogy between two legends will be the most lucrative fight of their storied career. (Via MMAMania)
“Look, we have arguably the two biggest names in MMA. These are the pioneers that started with UFC and they have had two incredible fights together and now Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell will once again give the fans their money’s worth,” said Oscar on a recent edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.
“The fact that I am including them in all revenue shares makes a huge difference. Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell deserve it, they are legends. They deserve to be treated the right way.”
Hoya didn’t give out any specific details but said both Liddell and Ortiz would make a career-high paycheck for a trilogy.
“All I can say is that they are going to make the most money they have ever made in their careers. And I know that for a fact,” he added. “The fact that we are including them in all revenue shares is a big game changer for both guys. This fight was relatively easy to make because we do include them in all revenuers that are coming in to the pot. What fighter in UFC can say that other than maybe Conor McGregor?”
This trilogy has received plenty of harsh criticism from many even UFC has tried to distance themselves from promoting this bout as head boss Dana White didn’t want any part of it not even as a spectator. White also implored anyone close to Liddell, 48 to dissuade him from entering into Octagon again.
Hola said he has a long interest in working in MMA and one of the reasons why he created Golden Boy MMA is to bring a platform where fighters can get handsomely for their efforts.
“One of the primary reasons is because I actually love watching MMA and I obviously love boxing. It came about a couple of years ago, but most recently I have been having MMA fighters approach me left and right or write me to tell me they don’t get paid enough,” he said.
“Whether it’s a championship-caliber fighter or one that has one or two fights. It makes me sick to my stomach to see main event fighters who are under no obligation with anybody come up to me and tell me they are getting paid peanuts. I think I can come in and make a difference with my formula that I implemented with Golden Boy Promotions from the start. I think I can change the way fighters are compensated.”
Liddell already holds two wins over Ortiz under UFC banner back when both fighters were the two biggest names in MMA. At UFC 47 in April 2004, ‘The Ice Man’ knockout Ortiz in 38 seconds of a second round. Then again at UFC 66, he successfully defended his light heavyweight title with a third-round TKO back in December 2006.
