It’s been just over two months until the eagerly awaited, lucrative exhibition boxing fight between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and legendary Mike Tyson. Initially scheduled for earlier this summer, the fight was postponed to November 15 due to ‘Iron Mike’s’ illness. Although the fight is still months away, it’s already generating significant hype.

Even ‘El Gallo de Dorado‘ arch-enemy, UFC head honcho Dana White, isn’t immune to discussing it. In a recent interview, a host playfully highlighted Jake Paul’s star-selling fight PPV, prompting Dana White to offer a stark reality check.

Dana White gave Jake Paul a reality check

In 2005, Mike Tyson hung his boxing gloves after a successful yet controversial career, marked by ups and downs. But one thing remained constant, Tyson’s aura, which cemented his status in the boxing world alongside the great Muhammad Ali, a level of fame every boxer today aspires to reach. Even in retirement, ‘Iron Mike’ never let his fans forget him. During his time away from the ring, he pursued various endeavors, including a notable cameo in the move ‘The Hangover‘.

However, in 2020, 15 years after retiring, Tyson stunned everyone by announcing his return for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a draw. On the other hand, Jake Paul, after successfully establishing himself in the YouTube world, made his boxing debut, becoming known for calling out veterans, a move that earned him both criticism and big paydays. Recently, the topic of this exhibition fight discussed on the YMH Studios YouTube podcast ‘2 Bears, I Cave‘, where hosts Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer asked Dana White white, “Do you think this Tyson fight will draw big numbers because it’s him?”

Dana White, without wasting any time, nodded in agreement, saying, “Yeah, listen, he’s been very strategic in his career, making sure he handpicks the right guys. And if this one actually happens, Tyson’s the Golden Goose.” White then voiced his frustration with Paul, who frequently targets him, dismissing ‘El Gallo de Dorado’ ability to draw in PPV viewers on his own. White added, “Tyson’s the one who actually sells Jake Paul’s pay-per-views.”

This isn’t the first time Dana White has given a Jake Paul a harsh reality check. Back in July, after Paul secured his eight-round victory against BKFC’s Mike Perry, he quickly called out Dana White’s favorite, Alex Pereira, for an exhibition boxing match. However, ‘El Gallo de Dorado’ remark didn’t go unnoticed, as he caught the attention of Dana White, who delivered a scathing reply to Paul’s challenge.

Dana White on Jake Paul’s callout to Poatan

When Alex Pereira made his UFC debut in 2021 after a dominant career in GLORY kickboxing, few could have predicted the rapid rise he’d achieve across not one but two weight divisions. In just a handful of fights, Pereira has become a force to be reckoned with, his ascent reminiscent of Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise. Alongside his elite fighting skills, Pereira has built a fiercely loyal fan base, further cementing his status as one of the UFC’s biggest stars—a sentiment echoed by MMA legends like Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen.

But with great success comes attention, and earlier this year, ‘El Gallo de Dorado’ Jake Paul decided to cash in on Pereira’s rising stardom by calling him out. It didn’t take long for UFC President Dana White to weigh in, and his response was as sharp as ever. White, visibly annoyed by Paul’s antics, shot down any chance of a fight between Pereira and the YouTube star-turned-boxer. “I wonder if the commission would even let that fight f— happen. (Pereira) would kick his head to another planet. He calls people out for attention. Alex is a superstar right now, so Jake called him out and Jake gets press. You don’t think Alex sells more PPVs? Way more.”

White’s comments not only reaffirm Pereira’s superstar status but also dismiss Jake Paul’s attempts to use UFC fighters for publicity stunts. The back-and-forth has sparked debate among fans: Was White right to say that if a Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight ever happens, it would be thanks to Tyson’s legendary name? Does Jake Paul’s star power pale in comparison to UFC’s rising stars like Pereira?

What do you think of Dana White’s remarks about Jake Paul? Let us know in the comments below!