Youtube, boxer, and now fighter rights activist Jake Paul says that his ongoing war of words with Dana White has earned him fans from within the ranks of the UFC. In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Paul claimed that even some of the promotion’s big fighters support his campaign to improve their working conditions, albeit in private.
“There a lot of fighters — a lot of big fighters in the UFC — who message me privately and say, ‘We love this, this is hilarious. Keep on going, but I can’t support this publicly.”
Jake Paul: Some “Big Fighters” in the UFC Support Him, Just Not in Public
That’s fine, according to Jake Paul, who seems happy to put his own money and reputation on the line. He doesn’t expect fighters to have to do the same and endanger their income. In fact, that’s the point of this entire crusade.
“I don’t want them to sacrifice. They have to put food on their family’s table. Like I said earlier, I happen to have a platform to be able to do this. So I accept the responsibility and I’m going to do it. I’ve made that decision.
I’m going to war and I’m not backing down no matter what happens. I don’t need the fighters in the UFC to support this.
Behind the scenes, it would be great for them to support it and talk about it and push for these movements, and obviously if there’s a fighters’ union created, everyone in the UFC should join it to create power and to create a better position for themselves and a better life for themselves.
But I don’t need them to support a diss track or anything like that publicly, because they’re just going to f*ck themselves over, and I don’t want that. I want them to win and make more money.”
Jake Paul’s consistent assault on Dana White and the UFC has earned him something of a heel reputation in combat sports. He claims that his foray into boxing, which thus far consists almost entirely of retired UFC fighters, was all about earning big paydays for outgoing MMA stars.
“I’ve done more than enough in terms of actions. And even more cards previously, almost every fighter that’s been on it, it’s their highest payday, always.
I’ve gotten Tyron Woodley his highest payday, Ben Askren his highest payday. So these fighters who are always mistreated, I’m taking action, I’m backing it up. I’m not letting off any time soon and I actually care. I actually give a f*ck. I’ve done too much and it’s nothing to me.
I enjoy this. I like this. I feel the responsibility to be a part of this movement and it’s getting traction. That’s exactly what I wanted and I’m excited to continue to be one of the leaders of this conversation.”
Do you think Jake Paul can get the UFC’s roster the pay they deserve, or is this more bluster from the relentless self-promoter? Let us know in the comments.
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