Dana White, president of the UFC, is under fire after claiming he was unaware of the upcoming boxing match betweenJake Paul and Anthony Joshua.
His public dismissal of the bout has been labeled a “blatant lie” by Paul‘s camp, intensifying the drama surrounding a fight already shrouded in controversy.
In a press appearance after UFC 322, White was directly asked if he had seen reports that Paul was set to fight Joshua on December 19 in Miami.
“Did I see the fight being worked on for December 19th in Miami? No,” he responded.
When informed otherwise, White mocked the idea: “Oh, Jesus. That’s a f**king bad idea. That’s a bad idea.” He added: “I think everybody’s gonna get what they’ve finally been waiting for.”
The response outraged Paul‘s promotional team. Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP Promotions, said bluntly that White‘s claim of ignorance was false.
“To say he wasn’t aware of [Paul vs. Joshua] is a blatant lie,” Bidarian told Ariel Helwani.
The feud that exists between Dana White and boxing figures
The allegation cuts to the heart of a bitter feud, accusing White of weaponizing his influence and stoking antagonism for business gain.
Bidarian further suggested that White monitors Paul closely: “He pays attention to every single thing that Jake Paul does.
“There are fighters out there who have guidance from the UFC that says, ‘If you fight with MVP or Jake Paul, you’re not welcome here anymore.'”
According to him, White‘s vendetta runs deep, involving not just his own commentary on matters but active pressure on potential opponents.
The fallout underlines the tension between traditional combat sports and crossover boxing. To some, Paul represents a disruptor who seeks high-stakes clashes with major names like Joshua.
To others, he’s an instigator who fuels controversy – and makes people like White uncomfortable.
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Are White’s comments just for PR?
It’s perceived that White‘s response may have been more than a moral objection. Critics argue he is doubling down on antagonism for publicity. By calling the matchup a “bad idea,” White casts it as reckless, yet admitted he would watch.
For his part, Joshua remains a willing participant in the spectacle. The former heavyweight champion’s willingness to step into the ring with Paul has divided boxing purists and mainstream fans alike.
If the bout goes ahead as planned, it promises to draw massive attention. White seems to understand this, even as he decries it. The crux of the disagreement appears to be less about whether the fight will happen and more about how much control and credibility White and his organization still exercise.
Whoever is telling the truth, it is undeniable that the showdown between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua has become more than a boxing match. It’s now a flashpoint in a fierce debate over power and influence in modern combat sports.
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