Jake Paul isn’t surprised Dana White reacted the way he did to the PFL absorbing Bellator this past month, but Paul believes his longtime naysayer is worried about the growth of the league.
Paul faces Andre August in a boxing match Friday night in Orlando, Fla., on the Most Valuable Prospects card. Following Thursday’s ceremonial weigh-ins, Paul was asked about White describing the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator as “one s***** organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches buys another s***** organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches.”
“It’s a massive deal,” Paul told MMA Fighting. “Of course Dana is going to say that to protect his business, but the UFC is falling. What big fights are they putting on? Their biggest star and the heavyweight champion of their organization came to the PFL for better opportunities, and the fighter are going where the better opportunities are.
“That’s what 2023, 2024 is all about, that the PFL is the best place for fighters. [PFL being on] ESPN, [they’re] crushing it, massive numbers, and they just keep on getting bigger and bigger, new investments infused into the company. So just massive plans, massive things going on in the company, and Dana White’s concerned. Trust me.”
The 26-year-old is expected to compete for the PFL in his MMA debut sometime in 2024, or at least, that was the plan. Throughout the build to his bout against August, Paul has openly talked about a focus on boxing in 2024, competing against “actual boxers” as opposed to competing against big names MMA fighters and influencer boxers. In his most recent appearance, Paul defeated former UFC star Nate Diaz via unanimous decision in August.
As far as Paul’s plans to compete for the PFL, he is still open to it. But for the time being, he’ll do so under one condition.
“I would do it if Nate Diaz signs the contract,” Paul said. “He just doesn’t seem to actually want to make the fight happen. So for now, it’s just focusing on boxing for 2024.”
