YouTube star Jake Paul seemingly won the hearts of some MMA fans after his recent call-out of UFC president Dana White regarding fighter pay. In a social media post last month, the 24-year-old compelled White to pay the fighters “their fair share” while also calling for the Francis Ngannou-Jon Jones heavyweight title fight.
The younger Paul brother recently went on Chael Sonnen’s podcast to do the same thing. This time, he also expressed his noble intent to “help fighters realize” their worth.
“I’m a free agent and I think that’s the way it should be with all fighters,” he said. “It just sucks to see these young kids, these young boxers, these young UFC champions get tied up into these contracts where they’re owned by the promoter, they’re owned by Dana White. And they’re not getting fair pay, they’re not getting the fights that they want.
“It’s a big problem. How is Arianny Celeste… she’s a ring girl, right? How does she make more money than some of the fighters in the Octagon who are risking their lives? Doesn’t make sense to me.
“It’s just a big problem and I’m hoping to help change that and just help fighters realize, like, they are the content. They are the ones that the fans are showing up for. They’re the ones that are driving these pay-per-views and they’re the ones, again, risking their lives. And they should be rewarded for that.”
Speaking of “rewarding” UFC fighters, Paul recently stirred up some controversy with welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. “The Nigerian Nightmare” already rejected what could be the biggest payday of his fighting career, but Paul says there are ongoing talks.
“There’s conversations happening. I believe Kamaru’s manager is already in talks with Dana, and I think that’s all I can say.
“100%, I’m down for all the smoke. I want all the smoke. Daniel Cormier, another example.”
Right now, Jake says he’s playing the cheerleader role for his older brother Logan, who faces Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition match on June 6th.
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