Jake Paul praises Dana White, says only issue with UFC boss is about fighter pay

Jake Paul is making it clear that his problem with UFC CEO Dana White is merely about fighter pay.

Paul has been a big advocate for fighters in recent years as he’s constantly spoken ill of White and the UFC for not paying its fighters enough. In 2021, Paul donated $5,000 to UFC women’s flyweight Sarah Alpar, who started a GoFundMe to pay off her training camp fees and living expenses.

White recently told TNT Sports that he has no beef with Paul, despite criticizing his level of competition in boxing. Paul surprisingly praised the UFC.

“That’s where I applaud the UFC and what they’ve done for MMA as a sport,” Paul said on the Full Send Podcast. “And their promotion, production, all of their sh*t is amazing. Like, people think I hate the UFC. I don’t.”

Paul founded the boxing promotion Most Valuable Promotions, which has helped build a platform for many boxers. Paul takes issue with the UFC being worth billions but only offering fighters $12,000 show money in their first few fights.

“I also have a lot of respect for – like, (White’s) RNC speech, bro, was amazing,” Paul said. “Like we agree on so many things, and I think he has a great side of him. I’m sure we’d be friends maybe in this life, maybe in a different life. I just want fighters to get paid more, that’s it. $12,000 to fight? Even if they fought four times a year, that’s not enough to support their family.”

Paul is coming off a TKO win over Mike Perry in July. He returns to the ring Nov. 15 when he laces up the gloves against legendary boxer Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.