Written by Christopher Allen.

Jorge Masvidal, the UFC fighter turned boxer, revealed the real reasons behind the UFC’s refusal to let him fight Jake Paul. During a revealing episode of “The MMA Hour,” Masvidal opened up about the organization’s stance towards the controversial YouTuber-turned-boxer.

UFC Executives Reject Paul’s Challenge

Masvidal, who recently transitioned to professional boxing with an upcoming match against Nate Diaz, shared that UFC’s top brass, including President Dana White and legal head Hunter Campbell, have a clear disdain for Jake Paul. They believe associating with Paul could tarnish the UFC brand. “The UFC doesn’t like your bh a. Dana White, don’t like your bh a. Obviously, Hunter Campbell doesn’t like your b*h a,” Masvidal asserted, explaining the organization’s decision to protect its image and financial interests by not engaging with Paul.

Masvidal’s Take on Potential Fights

The outspoken fighter also addressed Paul’s continuous taunts and challenges, which have been a consistent theme since 2020. Masvidal noted that while Paul may be keen on using his name for publicity, the UFC is not interested in facilitating this for someone they do not respect. “They don’t care for that motherfker … I get why they don’t want me to fk with him and make him any notoriety or money. They don’t give a f**k about him,” Masvidal remarked, indicating a complete disregard for Paul within the UFC hierarchy.

Paul, not deterred, has responded by challenging both Masvidal and Diaz to face him in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), a rival organization, asserting that neither has a chance in boxing against him. Masvidal’s response was dismissive, highlighting his doubts about Paul’s capabilities in any fighting form, especially MMA. “You’re talking about the PFL, the fk are you going to do in MMA? Are you kidding me? You can’t even box. Now, you’re going to fight in MMA? I would kick your fking kneecap off your fragile body,” he stated.

Our Take

The feud between Jorge Masvidal and Jake Paul is more than just a war of words; it’s a reflection of the broader issues of respect and professionalism in combat sports. Masvidal’s rejection of Paul’s challenge underlines a significant aspect of professional sports: not all publicity is good publicity. UFC’s decision to avoid any association with Jake Paul is a strategic move to maintain the integrity and prestige of the brand. This scenario emphasizes the importance of brand values in sports organizations, and the UFC’s stance might serve as a lesson in preserving brand integrity against potentially damaging associations. As Masvidal and Diaz prepare to square off, and Paul continues to seek high-profile opponents, the dynamics of these interactions will undoubtedly influence perceptions of professional combat sports.