Jake Paul and Dana White. Image via: Getty Images
Does Jake Paul belong alongside all-time boxing greats Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali? Well, not according to UFC boss, Dana White. Recently, he took a subtle dig at Jake Paul, and this time he did it without even saying his name.
The UFC president found a lighter but pointed way to question Paul’s place in boxing’s elite circle.
It came during a casual livestream, but the message was hard to miss.The moment quickly gained traction because of where it happened and what it implied, White reacted to images surrounded by boxing greats in a way that brought out his humor. Their rivalry has simmered for years, and it felt like another escalation rather than a one-off comment.
Dana White takes subtle dig at Jake Paul
The exchange unfolded on Adin Ross’ livestream, where Dana White appeared as a guest while checking out the streamer’s gym. The walls were lined with murals of iconic fighters, including Tyson and Ali. But one face stood out for different reasons. Jake Paul’s inclusion alongside those legends drew a reaction.
White did not call him out directly. Instead, he leaned on a familiar reference. “This is like that Sesame Street thing, one of these things doesn’t belong.
Which one is it?” he said, laughing.The remark pointed to a gap between Paul’s current standing and the legacy of fighters he was being compared to. Tyson and Ali were not just champions. They shaped eras. Paul, despite building a respectable 12-2 record in a short time, has yet to enter that level of conversation.
Jake Paul slams Dana White for UFC downfall
If White prefers subtlety, Paul does not. The YouTuber turned boxer has been direct in his criticism of the UFC and its leadership.
Speaking on Theo Von’s podcast, he questioned both the direction of the promotion and White’s role in it.“Their investors have gotten greedy,” Paul said. “And they’re not, they forgot their heart as a company. That’s the problem. And so, it’s dying…And also, MMA is not… MMA hasn’t stood the test of time because the best people in the sport become wrestlers; they just like to hold on… No, Khabib, Khamzat… This is boring.
No one wants to watch that.”He went further, adding, “[He’s] not smart enough. Just look at what he’s doing.”Paul’s criticism touches on familiar points. Fighter pay, style of fights, and the overall direction of MMA have all been part of his argument. Not everyone agrees. For many within the sport, wrestling-heavy bouts are seen as technical and strategic rather than dull.
