Jake Paul has escalated his long-standing feud with Dana White, emphatically claiming the UFC is “DYING” following recent remarks made by the promoter.
The clash of words between the veteran promoter and the YouTuber-turned-boxer was inadvertently rekindled last week when White stated he was unaware Paul was scheduled to fight this weekend.
Paul, the former Disney star, is set to face former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. early Sunday morning, the same time the UFC is hosting its annual International Fight Week event in Las Vegas.
Paul responded fiercely to White`s comment, declaring: “[The] UFC is dying.”
He continued: “They don’t have any current stars, they have skilful fighters, but it’s all boring wrestling. Where the Dagestani fighters are winning everything by taking everyone to the ground.”
Paul, who has frequently criticized White over the years, remains adamant that the MMA executive was fully aware of his upcoming boxing match.
“He can say whatever he wants, but you told him about the fight, right? So now he knows,” Paul asserted. “That’s what press and media is. We’re selling the pay-per-views. So maybe people don’t know about it today or tomorrow, but on Saturday they’re all going to know.”
On paper, Paul`s bout against Chavez Jr. represents the most significant challenge of his five-year professional boxing career.
He has publicly vowed to add the son of the Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. to his record of knockout victories.
At his open workout, Paul proclaimed: “I, Jake Joseph Paul, will knock out Julio Cesar Chavez Saturday, June 28.”
Percy Harlow