Dana White confirms Canelo Alvarez will feature in UFC 306 'movies' despite going head-to-head with the boxing icon
09/09/2024 05:59 AM
UFC 306, aka UFC Noche, is set to be a celebration of Mexican history and the fighting spirit of its people, with one of the nation's biggest stars set to play a starring role in the MMA PPV – even as he fights just down the road in Las Vegas.
On September 14th, the legendary Canelo Alvarez is set to go toe-to-toe with UFC 306 with two enormous combat sports PPVs taking place on the same night, just down the road from each other in the fight capital of the world.
Despite some rather low-hanging insults from Oscar De La Hoya over the scheduling clash, the UFC President has wished the iconic Mexican boxer well ahead of his fight with Edgar Berlanga and revealed that he will technically 'feature' at UFC Noche too.
Dana White confirms UFC 306 'movie' will feature Canelo Alvarez
Former professional boxer turned promoter Oscar De La Hoya claims that he will be in attendance for one of the two PPVs, with the controversial figurehead of Golden Boy Promotions opting to pick UFC 306 over his former fighter's latest title bout.
"I don't where he's getting his tickets from, but he definitely isn't getting them from me," laughed Dana White in response, explaining that his surprise attendance is merely De La Hoya trying to get one over on Alvarez.
"I don't know if he's coming with Sheik Turki or what his deal is… It's him trying to s*** on Canelo and I've said it a million times, I respect Canelo, and I like Canelo, met him and he's a nice guy."
In fact, Canelo Alvarez will technically be in attendance for UFC 306 on September 14 – not in person, but as part of the highly-anticipated 'movie' that will be shown on the enormous LED screen that wraps around the inside of The Sphere.
"That night, we're talking about the history of Mexico, the history of the people, their traditions and the impact that they'd had on combat sports… Somebody said to me, 'So you'll be celebrating Canelo that night?' – Yes, we are, Canelo is a big part of the night.
"Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez etc; how are you going to do all of the baddest dudes that have ever come out of Mexico and not talk about Canelo too, so the answer is yes."
Speaking on the fact that the two shows will be clashing on the evening of September 14, White didn't appear to be too worried about the 'sharing' of viewership or interest: "I like Canelo, and I respect Canelo, I like Al Haymon too, so it isn't about that.
"I was going on this date no matter what, last year they went on this date, but they were in Mexico. We're going on the Sphere that night, we're going to be sold out, MGM are guaranteeing their gate, so it doesn't matter what happens for them.
"I'm doing what I'm going do on Saturday night, they're going to do what they're going to do on Saturday night and it is what it is," acknowledged White, before confirming that UFC 306 has already started to make back its insane investment in a big way.
"Biggest gate in UFC history already and the biggest event ever for pre-buys leading up to an event; a week before the event, the most pre-PPV buys in the history of the company."
Oscar De La Hoya claims he'll attend UFC 306 over Canelo's 'snoozefest'
Whether De La Hoya actually attends UFC 306 over Canelo's boxing fight against Berlanga remains to be seen, with the promoter sharing some harsh words on the event earlier this week.
"We're a week away from the boxing match that nobody asked for, and the UFC event that everyone will be watching," De La Hoya stated via an Instagram post.
"Canelo is fighting Berlanga, another snoozefest. They're trying to sell a pay-per-view for $90 and $500 minimum to watch in person, it's just robbery at this point to pay for another lame Canelo fight that always goes the distance against a subpar opponent.
"I'll actually be attending the UFC event the Sphere instead," claimed the controversial promoter, who stated that despite loving boxing more than anything, he'll be choosing to enjoy MMA for Mexican Independence Day weekend.
"I will be watching boxing matches anywhere and anytime – even if it's a simple sparring session between two bums fighting on the street… So, the idea that I'm choosing to attend a UFC event and support Dana White instead of Canelo, it tells you everything you need to know."
UFC 306: O'Malley vs Dvalishvili, and Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga will go down Saturday, September 14 live from Las Vegas.
