Ryan Garcia knows that certain people didn't want Oscar De La Hoya at his fight, but he still would have liked him to show up.
MMA
Morning Report | Ryan Garcia was ‘disappointed’ Oscar De La Hoya didn’t show up for his fight with Conor Benn
Published
1 month agoon
This past weekend, Garcia squared off with Conor Benn in a highly-publicized fight, stopping Benn inside of two rounds. The fight was a co-promotion between Zuffa Boxing and De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, and given the long history of bad blood between De La Hoya and Dana White, many wondered how things would go with the two of them there together. But we never found out because De La Hoya did not attend the event.
Afterward, a report emerged claiming that De La Hoya was denied a credential, something White denied outright. But whether or not De La Hoya was allowed to attend, Garcia acknowledges that he originally intended to walk out with his promoter, before realizing that De La Hoya was not wanted, even if he was allowed in.
“In the beginning, it was Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. that was going to walk out with me, and I wanted to get, maybe Oscar right there,†Garcia told Ariel Helwani. “I think that would be iconic. Honestly, nobody wanted him there, and that's the god honest truth.â€
When asked to clarify who “nobody†was, Garcia chose not to give a direct answer, saying only, “You know who I mean,†and stating that he ultimately chose not to have De La Hoya with him because of this, but also saying he was still disappointed that his promoter did not come anyway.
“Sometimes you've got to pick your battles,†Garcia said. “That's not a battle I really wanted to pick. I'll say this though, I wish Oscar was there, I wish he would have walked out with me, and I wish he would have been ringside no matter what. That would have showed his love for me, the way I'd imagine somebody who has been with me the whole time to do.
“OK, that don't want to let you walk out, they did have a seat for you though, and you didn't take that seat. I don't respect that and that disappointed me.â€
Per boxing reporter Dan Rafael, De La Hoya did have a ticket to the event provided, but not where he was was contractually supposed to be seated and would have had to walk through the crowd to attend.
Garcia also added that he hasn't heard from De La Hoya since the event, which also bothered him.
“I don't know why he's like that,†Garcia said. “He just doesn't want to show up for the people he's supposed to love. I don't know. He's weird, bruh. He's missing a part of himself. I don't know what it is. I started my career with him, I looked up to him, and just for him to let his emotions get like that is really disappointing. Where's your maturity? Something's off. He's living in the past. It's weird.
“I didn't care for him to be a part [of fight week],†Garcia concluded. “But how special would it have been, he's not there at all and then shows up on my walkout?â€
Garcia has been signed to Golden Boy Promotions since 2016, with De La Hoya promoting him for almost the entirety of his career. However, the last few years have been strained between the two, with Garcia even making a point to mention that this was the final fight on his current contract with Golden Boy.
Ki. Scott Coker reveals new name for MMA organization, launch plans and details for Grand Prix in 2027.
Vacated. Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title: ‘Absolute nightmare.'
Response. Josh Hokit responds to Tom Aspinall vacating UFC title: ‘I'll give Ciryl what he has coming.'
Statement. Conor Benn releases first statement since knockout loss to Ryan Garcia.
Injuries. Jean Silva reveals injuries suffered before Noche UFC win, denies slapping Jose Delgado after fight.
Out. Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega scrapped from UFC 331; Moicano gets moved to new card.
Cooking with Volk — during a weight cut!
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Not gonna lie, something like this gives me even less confidence in this project.
But like, that one on the right is a sick fight poster.
It is simply way too easy to trigger Jon Jones.
Jon Jones he also spent a portion of the night big upping some very angry comments about Tom Aspinall. But he's definitely not mad. Don't put it in the paper that he's mad.
Renato Moicano (21-7-1) vs. Tom Nolan (11-1); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 31.
Mailbag! Send in your questions!
It’s that time of the week. Do you have questions? Send them here and I’ll answer them, either in the responses or in the weekly mailbag column.
Thanks! Love y’all!

I dunno man, on the one hand, technically nothing Ryan Garcia said was wrong. On the other hand, the way he said it makes me think he's not exactly speaking entirely in good faith there.
“They didn't want him there, I didn't want him part of Fight Week, and I changed my mind about him walking me out, but like, why didn't he show up?†Especially if the Rafael reporting is legit and they just got Oscar a seat in the crowd. Garcia seems almost certain to be signing with Zuffa, so you're going just to be disrespected and humiliated? I'd probably pass too.
Then again, it's Oscar. It's also entirely possible his reason for not attending is something much worse.
Not any heroes in this particular story.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKLee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and like us on Facebook.
You may like
MMA
Carlos Prates blasts ‘coward’ Islam Makhachev for UFC 336 withdrawal, vows to retire him
Published
8 hours agoon
October 25, 2026
Carlos Prates put Islam Makhachev on blast after the UFC announced his fight with Michael Morales for the interim belt on Jan. 30.
“The Nightmare†was in talks with the promotion to book a UFC 336 clash with the welterweight champion in Toronto, Canada, but will now face Morales after the Russian informed the UFC he wouldn't be ready to fight on that date.
Prates took to social media after UFC's official announcement on Saturday to criticize the champion.
“Islam Makhachev, I've been working toward my dream of becoming a champion for 17 years, and now you've postponed that,†Prates wrote in Portuguese. “I'm the No. 1. I knocked out two former champions, while Morales has only beaten Sean Brady.
“You told the UFC you wouldn't be ready to fight in three months. Brother, you don't drink, you don't smoke, you don't party, and you can't get ready for a fight in three months? Let me show you how it's done. On January 30, I'm going to knock out Michael Morales, and then I'll be back to retire you, you coward!â€
Prates is on a three-fight winning streak in the UFC, all by knockout, and has finished his opponents in all seven octagon victories. Morales, on the other hand, is unbeaten as a professional with 19 straight victories, seven of those under the UFC banner.
Makhachev took a shot at Prates by pointing out the fact he has recently beat Ian Machado Garry, the only man to defeat the Brazilian in the UFC.
“I just beat the guy who chased you around the octagon for five rounds,†Makhachev wrote. “Shut up and go train. You're not on my level. See you soon. #maybeâ€
“As soon as we find out who the real contender is, we'll be right back,†he added in separate tweets. “We have to now who is better who deserve.â€
UFC 336 will take place at the Scotiabank Arena and feature Joshua Van's flyweight title defense against Manel Kape as the headliner.
MMA
Petr Yan says hes figured out Merab Dvalishvili before UFC 333
Published
8 hours agoon
October 25, 2026
Yan believes he has figured out Merab
Dvalishvili ahead of their trilogy bout.
Yan is scheduled to defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title against
Dvalishvili at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Their series
is tied 1-1, but Yan expects to replicate his commanding
performance in their rematch.
Petr Yan expects another dominant showing against Merab
Dvalishvili in UFC 333 title trilogy
Dvalishvili overwhelmed Yan with his wrestling to win their first
meeting by unanimous decision in 2023. Yan reversed the result in
their December 2025 title rematch, repeatedly defending takedowns
and landing effective strikes to reclaim the championship by
unanimous decision.
“No Mercy†expects another strong showing in their rubber
match.
“We definitely have enough information downloaded from the time we
spent together in the Octagon,†Yan said in a pre-fight interview.
“But the second victory, obviously, was very dominant. I've figured
him out and I'm gonna do whatever I can to this time bring the same
type of victory and even open new layers which we haven't seen
yet.â€
“These are two greats in this division.”
Champion Petr Yan
(@PetrYanUFC) is fully confident heading into this third bout
against Merab
Dvalishvili and believes he still has more to show.
@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @ParamountPlus
https://t.co/he3RmXsXpp— UFC News (@UFCNews)
October 21, 2026
MMA
Alexander Volkanovski explains why he’s a ‘nightmare matchup’ for Movsar Evloev
Published
20 hours agoon
October 24, 2026
Volkanovski is confident he'll become the first fighter to
defeat Movsar
Evloev.
Volkanovski (28-4) will defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title against
Evloev (20-0) at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The champion
believes he presents a “nightmare†stylistic matchup for the
unbeaten Russian.
Alexander Volkanovski explains why Movsar Evloev’s grappling
may fail him in UFC 333 title fight
Ahead of their title clash, Volkanovski explained that Evloev
relies on his wrestling to escape difficult situations. The
Australian champion believes his own grappling skills will deny the
challenger that fallback option.
“I think it just doesn't end well for him,†Volkanovski said in a
pre-fight interview. “I don't mean it in any bad way. I just think
I'm the guy to take that zero from him. He's got incredible skill.
He is very effective with what he does… Every time he's had
problems, he could rely on that wrestling and grappling to get him
out of trouble. And you’ve got to respect that skill. But that
doesn't work with me. That's not a get out of jail free card with
me. When you're panicking, when you're freaking out, you don't get
to just grab hold of me and hang on to a leg or anything like that…
I just think that I'm a bit of a nightmare matchup for him.â€
Volkanovski has demonstrated his defensive wrestling in previous
appearances, including his competitive first bout against Islam
Makhachev, who tops the UFC's men's pound-for-pound rankings.
He has never been submitted in 32 professional fights.
“I am a nightmare matchup for him.” Champ
Alexander
Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) details why he’ll be the first
one to defeat Movsar
Evloev and what it will mean for his legacy. @VisitAbuDhabi |
@InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @ParamountPlus
https://t.co/IckD8pQ9EY— UFC News (@UFCNews)
October 21, 2026
Arum: Emanuel Navarrete Dominated OShaquie Foster Before Final Round Knockout
Carlos Prates blasts ‘coward’ Islam Makhachev for UFC 336 withdrawal, vows to retire him
Petr Yan says hes figured out Merab Dvalishvili before UFC 333
Trending
-
Boxing2 days agoDAZN Announces Signing of Devin Haney: A Game-Changer in Boxing
-
Boxing2 days agoNavarrete vs Foster: Title Unification Predictions and Analysis
-
Boxing2 days agoWBC World Title Bout: Smith vs Puello – A Clash of Champions
-
Boxing2 days agoRocky Marciano vs Mike Tyson: A Clash of Speed and Stamina in Boxing History
-
Boxing1 day agoNaoya Inoue and Bam Rodriguez Set for Potential March Showdown
-
Boxing2 days agoSmith vs Puello Fight Predictions: Insights from Chantelle Cameron, Tony Bellew & Paulie Malignaggi
-
MMA1 day agoUFC 333 ‘Volkanovski vs. Evloev’ play-by-play, results & round scoring
-
Boxing1 day agoTim Bradleys Prediction: OShaquie Foster Must Be Perfect to Defeat Emanuel Navarrete in Unification Bout


