It was a very interesting start to 2022 for Jake Paul and Dana White, as the two became involved in a social media war that took over the news last weekend.
The animosity between the two seems to reach a boiling point after some intense exchanges. It is unknown if any of this will come out outside of social media.
Following his knockout victory against former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, Paul pleaded with White to allow Jorge Masvidal or Nate Diaz to fight him in a boxing ring. The two were in their fight in Tampa, watching from the crowd. White criticized Paul, saying they will not compete in a ring and challenged Paul to take a PED test following claims that White was using drugs. Paul’s ending was quiet until New Years Day.
On Saturday, Paul responded with a proposal that he believes White cannot refuse. Paul said he would retire from boxing immediately if White approved an Octagon fight against Jorge Masvidal. The 24-year-old also said he would join the USADA group to get tested. Although, that was not all. Paul asked White to abide by some stipulations, which involved paying a wrestler.
Happy New Year Dana White. This is a real challenge for you … I will immediately retire from the box and fight Jorge Masvidal in the UFC if you agree with:
1) Increase the minimum fighter pay per fight to $ 50K (now it’s $ 12K)
2) Guarantee UFC fighters 50% of UFC annual revenue ($ 1 billion in 2021)
3) Provide long-term medical care to all fighters (you said earlier that brain damage is part of the job … imagine the NFL said that). There are many UFC alumni who have publicly said they suffer from brain damage.
You have 5 days to accept and implement the above by March 31, 2022. Once implemented, I will immediately retire from boxing, enter USADA, and accept a 1-fight deal with the UFC to fight weak chin Jorge
To all UFC fighters: it’s time to take a stand and create value for yourself and your teammates. You deserve a higher salary, you deserve long-term medical care, and most of all, you deserve freedom. Lean on. I am not your enemy, I am your lawyer … who selfishly wants to KO some of you to make a great bank
Paul has talked about fighter pay in the past. He said those who fight during his events earn more compared to some UFC fights. Seven-division boxing champion Amanda Serrano, who has partnered with Most Valuable Promotions, offered his services in the octagon too. Already 2-0-1 in the cage, Serrano wants to fight UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
MORE: Dana White Challenges Jake Paul to Take a PED Test
White was quick to reply. He said Paul never responded to his initial challenge. White also criticized Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s adviser and former UFC chief financial officer. Calling Bidarian “The Witcher,” White challenged them to start a promotion, saying that Paul is not a pay-per-view drawing and that Jake must accept the initial application.
White is used to questions about Paul during UFC media press conferences. There are times when he ignores questions or gives a simple answer and a jab. It’s weird when he gets close to those who tease him on social media.
“You never responded to the challenge,” White said, via MMA Fighting. “You publicly stated that I use cocaine. No. then I told you [that] You could randomly try cocaine on me for the next 10 years. I think you are a cheater and I think you use steroids so I want to give you a random steroid test for the next two years. And that thing you dated today, no one on Earth thinks you actually wrote it. You are too stupid. And for those of you who don’t know, if you’ve ever seen one of his fights and you see the stares, the guy standing in the middle with the witch nose and the big wart on his face, apparently that’s his manager. . .
“That guy used to be an accountant for me. And let me tell you this, he doesn’t work for me anymore and I think he’s a bastard. But if you two think you can do better than us, [that] We are doing everything wrong and you are treating the fighters better than us, eliminate yourself. Start your own business, it’s easy to do. Make the witcher do it. The witcher can help you get started. “
Bidarian was Senior Vice President of Investment and Strategy for Fertitta Entertainment from 2011 to 2013. For more than five years, Bidarian was CFO and Executive Vice President of Corporate and Strategy for UFC. Since then, he has been the CEO and co-founder of Fertitta Capital, executive producer of Triller, and founder of BAVAFA Sports. With Paul, Bidarian has been a key figure in drawing attention to Most Valuable Promotions.
Paul added more gasoline to the fire that was already burning. Paul used his creative social media skills while on vacation on a Caribbean island to post another video, stating that he is willing to get tested for USADA and has never taken steroids. He also flipped White’s latest video, stating that he did not address the issue of fighter pay. Regarding Bidarian, Paul gave him credit for helping the UFC get sold to Endeavor a few years ago.
Seeking to get on Masvidal’s nerves, Paul insulted his social media numbers and demanded that UFC fighters get tested if he should go through USADA.
“Simply put, you don’t address anything I said,” Paul said, via MMA Fighting. “I accepted your challenge. I said I would fight in MMA. I said I would retire from boxing … Show that you are in a corner … You are a dog in a corner trying to fight to save all his company and the shame that I have put you through … You met your creator. I will not stop. Welcome to the show, ladies and gentlemen. “
“I don’t take steroids and I take it as a compliment because I have no other excuse to knock out all your champions than ‘This guy takes steroids. If you test me on steroids, then I want to test each of your fighters on steroids. However, you won’t, will you? Men lie, women lie, Dana White lies, numbers don’t. “
Since then, Paul has posted a countdown to his USADA application on social media. This week ends and White has yet to respond.
Paul does not plan to fight in a boxing ring until late 2022. His goal is to help make a fight between Serrano and Katie Taylor possible. As for who he could fight next, Paul could face Tommy Fury again. Fury withdrew from their planned fight due to injury. Other fighters he could compete against are Anderson Silva and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
MORE: Is Julio César Chávez Jr. willing to risk everything to fight Jake Paul?
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.