Jake Paul Calls Out UFC After MVP-PFL Merger: “We Want to Win the Fight”
Jake Paul is aiming directly at the UFC after Most Valuable Promotions merged with the Professional Fighters League, creating a combined boxing and MMA company under the MVP banner. The new business brings nearly 400 athletes under one umbrella and will be led by Paul, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, and CEO John Martin.
Paul made the intent plain in a post on X: “I’m going to war for fighters.” He said MVP has spent less than five years building major events, drawing large audiences and pushing women’s boxing into a more prominent position, but believes the PFL deal takes the company into a new phase.
Jake Paul Says MVP-PFL Merger Will Put Fighters First in UFC Challenge
“Merging with the PFL gives us the opportunity to build something bigger than boxing and MMA,” Jake Paul wrote. “400+ world-class fighters. Bigger events. Bigger opportunities. One mission: put fighters first.”
PFL’s infrastructure will become the base of MVP MMA as the migration is completed over the coming months. The company says it will retain relationships with Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports and PFL’s international distribution network, which reaches more than 170 countries through 34 broadcast and streaming partners.
Paul’s message included a direct challenge to UFC president Dana White and the UFC’s position in MMA. “The Wall Street Journal said we want to pick a fight with the UFC and Dana White,” Paul wrote. “We don’t just wanna pick a fight. We want to win the fight.”
He also accused the UFC of failing its talent in key areas, claiming fighters are often “underpaid” and can be “put on a shelf if they don’t obey the rules.” The comments arrive amid ongoing fan interest in fights that have been difficult to make, including heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall versus Jon Jones.
MVP’s pitch is a wider menu for fighters. Paul said the combined group plans to make the bouts fans want, work across its existing media relationships and offer athletes a route to compete in both boxing and MMA. That model has already been tested by former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, whose PFL agreement allowed him to box Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Ngannou later fought Renan Ferreira in MMA before departing PFL in 2025, then took a fight with MVP on Netflix.
The merger also puts MVP in closer business proximity to Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, following their work in boxing. Additionally, Jake Paul has again floated the possibility of facing Nate Diaz, this time in MMA, after beating the former UFC star by unanimous decision in their 2023 boxing match.
Paul said his own MMA debut is targeted for 2027, though he plans to return to boxing later this year. He admitted he has not yet completed a day of dedicated MMA training, despite having a wrestling background, and expects to split his preparation between striking, kicks, jiu-jitsu and wrestling.
“For fighters fighting in other organizations, we are open for business when you are contractually free,” Paul said in the merger announcement. “The time for change is now. Welcome to MVP.”
