UFC 261: Jake Paul hits back at Dana White, and says ‘maybe pay your fighters their fair share’

YouTube star needles UFC president over ‘underpaid’ fighters while claiming he made huge windfall from Ben Askren boxing bout

White slammed Paul after altercation with Daniel Cormier, saying Triller Fight Club pay-per-view buys were ‘not even close’ to reported numbers

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YouTube star Jake Paul is confronted by ringside announcer Daniel Cormier at UFC 261. Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports

Published: 4:06pm, 26 Apr 2021Updated: 4:06pm, 26 Apr 2021

After knocking out Ben Askren and then instigating a verbal altercation with Daniel Cormier a week later at UFC 261, Jake Paul has continued to make his presence felt in the world of MMA.

The 24-year-old YouTube star was slammed by UFC president Dana White, who said the pay-per-view buys for last weekend’s Triller Fight Club event were “not event close” to the reported numbers.

Paul, who claimed his first-round KO of former UFC star Askren brought in 1.5 million buys, then hit back on Sunday in a Twitter post, needling White over fighter pay in his promotion and criticising him for insulting EPSN reporter Ariel Helwani.

“Dana, you claimed you would bet [US]$1m on me losing. Set up Askren to train with Freddie Roach … gave him full access to [UFC Performance Institute] … and he still got his ass handed to him,” wrote Paul.

Jake Paul looks on before Anthony Smith fights Jimmy Crute at UFC 261. Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports

“Seems like you are the real douche … not Ariel. In my third fight, I made more in total pay than any fighter in UFC history. Maybe it’s time to pay your fighters their fair share? No wonder they all want to get into boxing.”