Jake Paul has always been critical of the UFC business practices and fighter pay. With the UFC steaming on Paramount+ and his Most Valuable Promotions airing on Netflix, the two organizations have become competitors.
UFC CEO Dana White recently entered the boxing promotion game with Zuffa Boxing and MVP will put on the first mixed martial arts event on Netflix in May.
“We’re just focused on fighters first and making as big of events as possible and disrupting the space. But, yes, at the end if the day we are competitors to the UFC now and Zuffa Boxing. So, they’re going to be competitive and we’re going to be competitive,” Paul told Fight Hub TV.
“I think it’s been tough for them to create stars and the fights that they want for how little they’re willing to spend. So, they’re kind of at a bottleneck, and I think that’s why we’ve seen fights that people aren’t super excited about and the biggest stars in the sport like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor fighting on a consistent basis. And that’s what made them so great in the beginning of their business was just massive amazing fights all the time. Now, they’re just not willing to spend money.”
On June 14, the White House will play host to the octagon. The six-bout fight card will be part of the America 250 Freedom celebration, featuring two title bouts, and takes place on the White House lawn. Paul wasn’t impressed with the fight card and believes the White House itself is the star of the show.
“I think the White House itself will be the star. I was disappointed by the card. Like I think many fans were just because there was such high expectations. I think if they weren’t hyping it for so long, then maybe if they just announced it randomly then people would be happy. But they just made it seem like it was going to be the greatest card of all time. And it certainly isn’t,” Paul said.
“MMA is in a weird position right now and it’s the Wild West and I believe we have a massive opportunity here to disrupt the whole space and to put fighters first, get them the pay that they deserve, the platform that they deserve because I believe the UFC is dying and MVP is here to take over,” Paul said during the Rousey vs. CaranoKickoff Press Conference.
