Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.
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A boxing match between Oscar De La Hoya and Georges St-Pierre likely would’ve happened if not for UFC president Dana White.
That is according to Triller boss Ryan Kavanaugh, who earlier this week put White on blast in an Instagram post for blocking St-Pierre from fighting De La Hoya under the Triller banner.
“[Dana White and the UFC] just blocked Georges St-Pierre from fighting Oscar De La Hoya,” Kavanaugh wrote. “It is a big payday for GSP and both he and Oscar’s dream to fight each other.
“Dana would rather hold back those who put the UFC where it is and why?”
Following an initial report from Bloody Elbow, MMA Junkie confirmed with a person close to the situation that St-Pierre was De La Hoya’s main target for his comeback fight, and the two sides had been in negotiations.
But the UFC wouldn’t grant St-Pierre permission, a requirement for him to participate since he remains under contract with the UFC despite not fighting for the promotion since November 2017.
At the time of his retirement announcement in February 2019, St-Pierre’s UFC contract was frozen, which is why he needs permission to compete for outside promotions.
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