Dana White Denies Banning Jake Paul From The UFC – ‘That Kid, He’s Welcome’

September 20, 2024
5 months

Dana White has responded after Jake Paul dressed up as an old man in order to get into UFC 306. 

Paul entered the arena as he wanted to watch his friend Sean O’Malley defend his UFC Bantamweight Title against Merab Dvalishvili. It was the second defense of O’Malley’s title after he defeated Marlon Vera at UFC 299 to pick up the belt. O’Malley and Paul have a very good relationship, as they co-own the W body care brand. 

The video shows Paul dressing up as an old man as he walks past security. He then sits down, as Dana White is a few rows ahead of him. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira was also seen, but Paul remained undetected. Unfortunately, O’Malley lost the fight as Mehrab dominated to become the new champion.

“I’m about to sneak into the Sphere. Two years ago, I was banned from all UFC events by Dana White… But since my best buddy Sean O’Malley was fighting for a world championship, I had to be there. But if I’m gonna illegally sneak in, I need a disguise and a good one,” Paul continued as he put on his fake beard, fake beard with long hair and a baggy red checked shirt. Little did Sean know that I was gonna sneak in to watch him… But there’s another problem. I’m risking going to jail if I get caught, can you imagine the mugshot?” Paul said 

White On Paul

Before entering the venue, Paul suggested that he had been banned. He had previously been jeered at a UFC event, with fans shouting expletives at him. While that may have been the case, White has now dismissed suggestions that Paul was banned. He compared how Oscar De La Hoya was allowed into the arena to Paul’s situation, stating there is nothing to prevent him from coming. 

“Oscar De La Hoya was there [at UFC 306]. OK, let’s put it that way. Nobody’s banned from the UFC. Listen, that kid knows how to market and do his thing and all that good s**t. Jake Paul’s welcome to come to UFC,” White said 

Nevertheless, it is important to bear in mind the following factors. Paul and White do not have a good relationship. Paul has been very critical about the UFC’s pay structure, stating that fighters need to earn more. The UFC is currently trying to settle two lawsuits which have accused them of breaking antitrust laws to form a monopoly and control how much fighters could earn. 

Their Relationship

White has criticized Paul throughout the years, saying that he believes he is taking performance-enhancing drugs. Paul has also called out White for not making the Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones fight. They were linked with a fight in the UFC before The Predator left the UFC last year. Once Ngannou departed, White confirmed he would never work with him again.

He also ruled out doing a co-promotion with the PFL to make that fight, raising a reaction from Paul. Paul stated that Ngannou is the best heavyweight in the world, but fans have not seen the opportunity given that the Jones fight has not been made. However, if White and Paul put aside their differences, it would only help the sport of MMA to grow bigger. 

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