Jake Paul has resurrected his quarrel with UFC President Dana White after White’s recent comments about a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou cross-promotion.
Jones vs. Ngannou was widely discussed as a potential heavyweight super fight booking after Ngannou’s title win at UFC 260. But, the fight never came to fruition, and Ngannou eventually parted ways with the UFC earlier in 2023.
Talks of the dream fight were ramped up when the two heavyweight superstars came face-to-face at a recent PFL event. PFL Founder Donn Davis and others in the league began to publically entertain the idea of making the Jones vs. Ngannou fight happen.
Any chances at a co-promotion between the PFL and UFC were halted last weekend at the UFC 295 post-fight press conference.
Dana White is not interested in co-promoting with the PFL for Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou ❌ #UFC295
“I tried to make the fight here. They didn’t want to do it. It’s done. [Ngannou] doesn’t fight here anymore. I’m not interested.” pic.twitter.com/XQ8sntKnDm
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 12, 2023
In the above clip, White questioned the PFL’s ability to sell tickets and called the possibility of the two organizations collaborating for an event ‘dumb’ and ‘stupid.
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Jake Paul Reacts To Dana White’s PFL/UFC Co-Promotion Comments
Paul, along with Ngannou, signed with the PFL earlier this year. In a recent tweet, Paul reignited his beef with White after hearing of his dismissal of a Jones vs. Ngannou co-promotion.
It’s a shame. Jones vs Ngannou is way bigger now than it was while Francis fought for UFC. Both fighters would make $20M+.
If you one can co-promote with Showtime to put on MayMac why not with PFL, where we share the same media partner? @francis_ngannou @JonnyBones @PFLMMA https://t.co/hXTAG7r9LH
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 13, 2023
“It’s a shame. Jones vs Ngannou is way bigger now than it was while Francis fought for UFC. Both fighters would make $20M+. If [you] can co-promote with Showtime to put on MayMac why not with PFL, where we share the same media partner?” Paul argued.
The UFC and PFL both have broadcasting rights deals with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports. It was argued by the reporter who asked the question to White above that the two promotions being under the same broadcasting banner would make co-promoting easier.
Paul and White have gone back and forth from afar for years; including over topics like Paul’s boxing career and fighter pay. As of this writing, White hasn’t responded to Paul, but it could only be a matter of time until he addresses it.
