Social media star and pro boxer Jake Paul has reignited his feud with UFC boss Dana White after taking a dig at the company’s historic $7.7billion broadcast deal.
The MMA giants put pen to paper on a seven-year deal with Paramount for US broadcasting rights – a deal which will see the UFC make $1.1billion a year.
Thanks to the new partnership, CBS and Paramount+ will carry UFC’s 13 marquee events and 30 “Fight Night” shows each year. For fans, the biggest change is the end of ESPN’s pay-per-view model.
UFC president Dana White hailed the deal as a huge win, not only for the organisation but also the athletes.
He said: “This historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes.
“For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all UFC content without a pay-per-view model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform.
“This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.”
Jake Paul questions PPV hypocrisy
Paul, who has been historically critical of UFC’s model and fighter pay, was quick to slam the deal online.
Posting on social media, Paul said: “The hubris from these guys is unreal if ur their partner. 1st they talk about getting into boxing with no risk & charging fees on fees on fees from their partners who are putting up the money.
“Now they are saying PPV is dead when they have a PPV this weekend with Du Plessis and another one with Pereira and another one with Aspinal…& another 1 with.”
MMA fans in the United States will need to spend just shy of $80 to watch this weekend’s numbered event.
South African Dricus du Plessis will battle Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319, marking one of the biggest fights of the year.
UFC fighters urged to ‘get their worth’
With the UFC’s huge financial gains now in the open, Paul has urged UFC fighters to get their worth.
In a separate social media post, he said: “Every fighter in the UFC now has a clear picture of what the revenue is…no more PPV excuses. Get your worth boys and girls.”
The YouTuber-turned-boxer has been calling on the UFC to raise minimum pay for years.
In a recent edition of his podcast “BS w/Jake Paul,” the social media star revealed he would not have a major problem with the organisation if they paid fighters more money.
He said: “The only thing I’ve really asked for is for the minimum fighter pay, which is $12,500, to be changed to $50,000.
“So that fighters who have to work multiple jobs, if they fight once a year even, they’d be able to live off of that.”
READ MORE: UFC SIGNS HUGE $7.7BILLION U.S. RIGHTS DEAL WITH PARAMOUNT FROM 2026
