As June 28th rapidly approaches, the combat sports world braces for a head-on collision of events, but if you ask UFC CEO Dana White, there’s only one show in town.
While Jake Paul gears up for a high-stakes return to the boxing ring against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., White’s reaction to the perceived competition has been nothing short of dismissive, casting a long shadow over “The Problem Child’s” upcoming bout.
Despite the fact that Paul’s fight, which also features a boxing return for former UFC champion Holly Holm, is set to directly compete with UFC 317, White seemed utterly unbothered – even unaware – when questioned about it.
“Oh really? I didn’t f*cking know that,” a seemingly surprised White told MMA Fighting, instantly downplaying any notion of a rivalry. His follow-up comment was even more cutting: “I didn’t even know he was fighting, so that’s how concerned I am about it.”
Paul keeps jabbing White
White’s apparent indifference comes amidst a week of renewed verbal sparring between him and Paul. Just today, Paul took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent his frustration over what he viewed as disrespectful production at a recent press conference.
“I’m going to fire MVP’s head of production if he ever has the fighters come out before the promoters, hosts, etc.,” Paul fumed, taking aim at the sequence where boxing legends Sal “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford were introduced before figures like White himself and ESPN’s Max Kellerman.
Paul’s fiery critique, declaring “They keep saying Canelo and Crawford [are] legends… treat them like that,” underscores his belief in proper respect and hierarchy in combat sports presentations.
Dana remains unfazed by Jake’s provocations
Yet, as the clock ticks down to June 28th, White’s public declaration of ignorance about Paul vs. Chavez Jr. – and by extension, Paul’s entire boxing career – serves as a stark reminder of where he believes Paul stands in the pecking order of combat sports.
For Jake Paul, who thrives on attention and challenging the establishment, White’s dismissive attitude might sting more than any punch.