UFC will be honoring pro boxer Canelo Alvarez during UFC 306 Noche card tribute to Mexico, says CEO Dana White.
Dana White believes UFC 306 Noche tribute has to have Canelo Alvarez (Source: IMAGO/X)
The UFC 306 Noche pay-per-view card takes shape this weekend. The historic annual celebration earmarks the Mexican Independence. Subsequently, the broadcast will also feature mini-movies in between the fights that tell a story of Mexico’s heritage. The 90-second interludes will have mentions of Mexican fighters and their contribution to combat sports. UFC plans to haveSaul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on that list, says Dana White.
Alvarez is Noche UFC’s big PPV rival as he stuffs in some sweet science across town, at the T-Mobile Arena on September 14. Canelo Alvarez will return to the ring on the date against +800 underdog Edgar Berlanga. Despite going head-to-head with the UFC, his part in combat sports is undeniable.
I’ve said it a million times: I respect Canelo, I like Canelo, …Yeah, Canelo is a big part, he’s featured in the show…He’s a big part of the night. Yes. Of course. Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez. How are you gonna do all the baddest dudes that have ever come out of Mexico and not talk about Canelo too?Dana White to John Morgan ( @JOHNMORGANMMA ) for Cageside Grind City Media; H/T: SBNation Network
UFC chief content officer Craig Borsari recently told THR (The Hollywood Reporter) about the ceremonial mini-movies. Academy Award-winning director Carlos Lopez Estrada, the one behind Disney movies Raya and the Last Dragon is overseeing it. With how much Canelo has contributed to the sport, he is naturally a big part of it. This isn’t the only time Dana White confirmed as much.
🇲🇽Dana White said that Canelo Alvarez will be honored on the Sphere event as every other fighter from Mexico.”We gonna honor everybody who ever came from Mexico and fought for anything. Canelo is definately part of it.”🎥 @VegasPBS ▫️ pic.twitter.com/gEcZP4k2k1
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 10, 2024
In a recent interview with ‘KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas’ on YouTube, White confirmed the immersive show will feature the boxer. Even though Canelo took over the originally planned venue for UFC 306, White again teased ‘big things’ with the inclusion of the boxer in a sitdown with Vegas PBS, as seen above. Additionally, the UFC boss also had to weigh in on Oscar De La Hoya siding with UFC and the Noche UFC event over Alvarez.
From a $20 million-plus bank to slashed prices to ensure attendance, the UFC boss is determined that the Canelo Alvarez fight will not overshadow UFC 306. However, Dana White is willing to include the sporting legend in the ambitious venture. The immersive UFC 306 Noche outing has also attracted some outside attention – namely De La Hoya.
Dana White weighs in on the Noche event frenemy (Source: heavy.com/X/boxemag.com)
Over the past few years, De La Hoya has been much more cordial when talking about White. Even though he still manages to throw a few subtle barbs. White, however, remains uncomfortable with the idea of a kinship with ‘Golden Boy’. To that end, the 55-year-old thinks De La Hoya will only attend to irk his enemy, Alvarez.
I don’t know where he’s getting his tickets from, …He’s not getting them from me. I don’t know if he’s coming with Sheikh Turki or what his deal is, but yeah, I saw [his comments]…It’s him trying to sh*t on Canelo…Dana White further said
On September 7th, the boxing promoter took to X to diss that the Canelo vs. Edgar Berlanga pairing would not exceed 100k. He also doubled down on it being an overpriced $90 “snooze fest”. That is not where the buck ends though. The extended Riyadh Season recently announced partnerships with Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank. Alvarez did not comply with certain trends of thought with Saudi GEA and Riyadh Season head, Turki Alalshikh.
That mixed with his refusal of matchups by His Excellency – De La Hoya has surprisingly veered to White and Co. over their association with Riyadh Season. He even warned Canelo that he was out making the worst possible enemies. White thinks his attendance is compelling proof to out-stretch this rivalry.
