Jake Paul calls on UFC to increase fighter payments
Jake Paul has revealed that the only complaint he has against UFC CEO Dana White is the low pay for fighters in the mixed martial arts promotion.
Paul has been vocal about fighter remunerations in recent years and has often criticised the UFC for underpaying its fighters.
He made headlines in 2021 by donating US$5,000 to UFC women’s flyweight Sarah Aplar, who launched a GoFundMe campaign to meet her cost of living.
White recently told TNT Sports that he has no animosity towards Paul, despite criticising his boxing opponents.
Surprisingly, Paul responded with praise for the UFC boss.
“That’s where I applaud the UFC and what they’ve done for MMA as a sport,” Paul said.
“And their promotion, production, all of their s*** is amazing.
“Like, people think I hate the UFC.
“I don’t.”
Paul critical of UFC’s $12,000 fight pay
Talking on the Full Send Podcast, Paul highlighted the disparity between the UFC’s billions in value and the meagre $12,000 show pay given to fighters in their initial contests.
“I also have a lot of respect for — like, (White’s) RNC speech, bro, was amazing,” the 27-year-old 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.”
What’s next for Jake Paul?
After a TKO win over Mike Perry in July, Paul will face legendary boxer Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on November 15.
Tyson is the runaway favourite to leave the ring with the bragging rights, according to the latest odds from boxing bookmakers.
‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’, who has not fought professionally in 19 years, is at -312.5 to win the fight, while a Paul victory returns +235.
Paul and Tyson will face off again at a pre-fight press conference in New York on Sunday, August 18.
