UFC President Dana White has never been one to hold back his opinions, especially when it comes to controversial fights in the world of combat sports. Recently, White took aim at the rumored matchup between YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul and boxing legend Mike Tyson, calling the fight “ridiculous” and expressing his disdain for the idea of seeing Paul in the ring against a nearly 60-year-old Tyson.
During a press conference, White was asked about the potential bout, which has been the subject of speculation for some time. He didn’t mince words in his response. “That fight is ridiculous,” White said. “I don’t know why anyone would want to watch that. No one wants to see Jake Paul beat up an almost 60-year-old Mike Tyson.”
Jake Paul has made a name for himself in the boxing world by taking on a series of high-profile opponents, most of whom have come from the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) or are retired athletes. His polarizing personality and self-promotion have garnered him a large following, but it’s also led to a lot of criticism from traditional boxing fans and figures within the combat sports industry.
White, who has been openly critical of Paul in the past, views his fights as more of a spectacle than a legitimate competition. “Jake Paul is out here trying to make a name for himself by fighting guys who are past their prime or aren’t even boxers,” White said. “Now he wants to fight Mike Tyson? Come on, that’s just a joke.”
White’s disdain for Paul’s approach to boxing is not new. In previous interviews, he’s referred to Paul’s matches as “circus acts” and has questioned the legitimacy of his career. While Paul has seen success in his boxing bouts, securing knockouts against former MMA stars like Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, White believes that those victories don’t hold much weight in the real boxing world.
Mike Tyson, now 58 years old, has had a long and storied career in boxing. Once known as the “Baddest Man on the Planet,” Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history and dominated the sport in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After retiring in 2005, Tyson made a surprising comeback in 2020 for an exhibition match against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.
While Tyson’s exhibition bout was well-received by fans, the idea of him facing a younger, less-experienced opponent like Jake Paul has raised eyebrows in the combat sports world. Tyson’s age and the difference in the nature of exhibition fights versus full-scale professional bouts have left many questioning the fairness and value of such a fight.
White echoed these concerns, stating, “Mike Tyson is a legend, but he’s almost 60 years old. Jake Paul is in his prime, and it’s not a fair fight. It’s all about money and attention for Jake Paul, and that’s just sad.”
Dana White’s blunt dismissal of the fight seems to reflect a sentiment shared by many traditional combat sports fans. Despite Jake Paul’s growing fame, many still view his boxing career as more of a publicity stunt than a legitimate pursuit. Paul’s brash attitude and constant callouts of older or retired athletes have left a bad taste in the mouths of many who believe that boxing should focus on real competition between evenly matched opponents.
White’s comments have sparked further debate over whether a fight between Tyson and Paul would do more harm than good for the sport of boxing. While there is no doubt that such a matchup would generate massive media attention and draw significant pay-per-view numbers, it also risks diminishing the reputation of the sport.
“People want to see real fights, not these gimmicky sideshows,” White continued. “Boxing is supposed to be about skill, heart, and determination. This fight would be a mockery of all of that.”
Despite White’s strong criticism, Jake Paul has shown no signs of slowing down. His ability to sell fights and generate interest from his massive fan base continues to make him a major player in the boxing world, even if his opponents are less than traditional. Paul has stated that he’s serious about his boxing career and has hinted at taking on more experienced fighters in the future.
Whether or not the fight with Mike Tyson comes to fruition remains to be seen. Tyson, for his part, has been open to the idea of another exhibition match, though it’s unclear if he would be interested in fighting Paul in a professional capacity.
As of now, the potential bout remains a hot topic of discussion, with many in the combat sports world waiting to see if the unlikely pairing of Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will actually step into the ring together.
One thing is clear: Dana White won’t be tuning in. For him, the fight represents everything that’s wrong with boxing today—an emphasis on spectacle over substance.
In his final remarks, White summed up his feelings on the matter: “If you want to watch real fights, real competition, tune into UFC. But if you want to watch a joke, then go ahead and buy Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson.”
