Jake Paul takes aim at Dana White after PFL merger sees him become co-owner
Jake Paul takes aim at Dana White after PFL merger sees him become co-owner
Charlie WilsonThu, July 30, 2026 at 1:14 PM UTC
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Jake Paul is now PFL co-owner, with the UFC's rival set to rebrand as MVP MMA -Credit:GETTY
The UFC's biggest rival in the mixed martial arts (MMA) world is now owned and led by Jake Paul after his Most Valuable Promotions company secured a merger with the PFL.
Paul has had no love lost for Dana White and the UFC over the years, and has been looking to enter the MMA world himself. He hosted his first-ever event in the sport this summer, with Ronda Rousey and Francis Ngannou both competing on his card.
Now, Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian have made the move to merge with the PFL, while being the co-founders and leaders of a new company. It comes just two days after Paul also merged with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing as they look to continue to make women's boxing bouts, ending his rivalry with the British promoter.
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In announcing the news on Thursday morning, Paul took a clear shot at UFC supremo White, referencing again his long-term battle to improve MMA fighter pay.
He said: "We started MVP to disrupt a broken model. We wanted to give fighters fair pay and a bigger, modernized stage to become global superstars.
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"Joining forces with PFL accelerates that vision by a decade. We now have a scaled platform to give today's fans what they want: elite talent mixed with culture, lifestyle, and massive social velocity.
Jake Paul held an MMA event for the first time, earlier this year -Credit:AFP via Getty Images
"MVP was always bigger than me and bigger than any one fighter. MVP is an inevitable movement that needs to happen for the athletes, and now we have all the resources we need to build something that changes this sport forever.
"I have more conviction in MVP than ever, driven by the proliferation of AI, which will only increase the value of real, live experiences and the sports properties that can bring fans closer to the athletes they love."
Paul went on to confirm that he would himself step into the octagon and fight in mixed martial arts for the first time - something that he had long stated he wished to accomplish.
Jake Paul confirmed he will look to fight in MMA -Credit:Getty Images
This, appearing to put to bed any rumors that he might retire after sustaining a brutal broken jaw after his fight with Anthony Joshua last year.
"I look forward to putting my entire promotional muscle into our new company, returning to the boxing ring and making my MVP MMA debut.
"To all current MVP and PFL fighters, things just got bigger. To fighters fighting in other organizations, we are open for business when you are contractually free. The time for change is now. Welcome to MVP."
Source: “AOL Sports”
