Jake “The Problem Child,” Paul says his beef with Dana White is personal now.
On the “Full Send Podcast,” released Wednesday, Paul unloaded his true feelings about the UFC President.
“Him and I, it’s a little bit more personal now,” Paul said. “He’s trying to discredit everything that I’m doing, saying that my fights are rigged because he looks bad.
“He’s trying to bully everyone in the fight game, and I’m the only person with a big platform that’s speaking out against him; because I’m the only one who doesn’t give a sh*t.
The Problem
Paul’s ascension through the social media ranks into the fight business provides a different form of leverage. Paul has been using it to his full advantage criticizing the infrastructure of the fight game.
Jake Paul is good for UFC fighters. Dana White is bad for UFC fighters.
— Cerezo Yambao (@Tigoveth) September 2, 2021
However, when it comes to White and his notorious pay scale, Paul has been most vocal.
The vocalized animosity between Paul and White began before his defeat of former UFC champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley last month. It started once the Paul brother’s train began to leave the sensation station.
“All his fighters have to say, ‘Yes, dad. We’re sorry. Please let me fight. Please pay me.’ I’m the only fighter right now that doesn’t give a f*ck and is going right at him. And so he has to do everything he can to discredit me.”
The 24-year-old Paul (4-0, 3 KOs) began his professional boxing journey in January 2020. Since then, he has proven to be an industry influencer combining a made-for-tv personality with an evolving skillset.
The Cleveland-native has been fighting out of the Puerto Rico eye of former pro boxing contender B.J. Flores. His career began with gimmick knockouts over YouTube star AnEsonGib and former NBA star Nate Robinson.
The Breakthrough
However, Paul’s watershed moment came when he defeated former MMA champion Ben Askren via first-round knockout. With the win over Askren, Paul advanced to his split decision victory over Tyron Woodley.
https://twitter.com/csoluiselcucuy/status/1436081617685123072?s=20
However, without ever stepping into a cage, Paul has stayed on the radar of the mixed martial arts community. He engaged in a battle of Twitter fingers with Bellator welterweight Dillon Danis. Additionally, he constantly called out Conor McGregor before his loss to Dustin Poirier.
Other UFC fighters on his hit list include Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, and current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
“He’s a very smart guy. I get it,” Paul said. “It would only hurt the UFC if I beat their fighter and look at the way things have unfolded. I beat Ben Askren. And then the first notch on my belt is a (former) UFC champion, outboxed him for eight rounds.
“So now Dana is going, ‘Damn, do I want this money? Or should I actually risk Kamaru Usman?’ That’s the fighter who’s gone to him and been like, ‘Please, please, please.'”
https://twitter.com/wickeezy/status/1433867667874750502?s=20
Ironically, Paul is sticking to boxing and has rejected the notion that he would enter the cage. However, like the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight, Paul believes White will have to work with him in some cross-promotional capacity in the future.
“That’s what’s happening. It’s becoming more undeniable,” Paul said. “At some point it’s like, OK, we have to make this happen because it’s just such a big business play. That’s why I do see it being a possibility in two years from now, maybe, just keep on winning, and it could happen for sure.”
Until then, Paul vs. White’s bad blood show will continue to roll on.
