Podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan has sparked a heated exchange with boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya after questioning the authenticity of the former champion’s physique and declining to host him on his show.
During an episode featuring UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, Rogan, 57, raised eyebrows with his comments about De La Hoya’s appearance. “Why has Oscar De La Hoya got fake abs? You seen that? Oscar De La Hoya has got some fake abs. Something’s going on, man,” Rogan said on his podcast.
He continued, “Oscar De La Hoya didn’t have abs throughout his boxing career. Look at him now. What’s going on there? It’s either he’s got some fake abs or he’s going semi-glutide, one or the other. The thing is, his abs don’t match his chest or his arms. Look how defined his abs are, like they even when he’s sitting there. It’s like the Liver King.”
The 52-year-old De La Hoya, nicknamed “The Golden Boy of Boxing,” quickly responded to Rogan’s comments on Instagram, challenging the podcast host’s own physical transformation. “Really? Let’s take a look at your evolution over the last 15 years,” De La Hoya posted, accompanied by a series of clips showing Rogan’s appearance changes over two decades.
In a pointed response, De La Hoya added, “Man, I’m glad I cleaned up my life and got off the f***ing dr*gs.” The Olympic gold medalist also suggested that Rogan has a “contract” requiring him to “stay hating” on him and advised the podcast host to “stop being petty” for refusing to have him as a guest.
De La Hoya, who retired after his 2008 bout with Manny Pacquiao, now runs Golden Boy Promotions and has maintained an active social media presence, occasionally teasing a comeback while showcasing his muscular physique.
De La Hoya is on the outs with Rogan’s longtime friend Dana White.
The UFC boss reminisced about De La Hoya’s prime a while ago, saying, “He was a bad boy in his day.” This comment harkened back to the boxer’s heyday when he dominated the ring and captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
White’s most pointed remark came when he referenced De La Hoya’s physique, quipping, “Before he got his fake abs.”
The boxing promoter even playfully accused White of getting the same aesthetic procedure, stating, “I see that you got the same ab surgery I got. I always knew you wanted to be like me, bro.”
The situation has drawn attention given Rogan’s history of hosting controversial figures on his podcast, including U.S. President Donald Trump, X owner Elon Musk, and UFC president Dana White. De La Hoya suggests Rogan’s reluctance to have him on the show might be connected to his ongoing disagreements with UFC chief White.
