Current:Home > FinanceJake Paul rants about Dana White, MMA fighters: 'They've been trying to assassinate me' -ValueCore
Jake Paul rants about Dana White, MMA fighters: 'They've been trying to assassinate me'
View
Date:2025-04-17 15:44:51
Jake Paul shoved Mike Perry during a face-off at their weigh-in Friday, then went on a rant against UFC president Dana White and mixed martial arts fighters, saying "they've been trying to assassinate me" and that they "don't want me in this sport."
Paul’s outburst started with a shove of Perry.
“He flew like six feet,’’ Paul said during an interview with Ariel Helwani on stage at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. “But look, Dana White said that he's going to give (Perry) a UFC contract if he could knock me out. Well, guess what, Dana? You can rip up the (expletive) contract because I'm going to (expletive) up Mike Perry. Anyone you send at me, any one of your MMA fighters is getting (expletive) up.
“They've been trying to assassinate me. They don't want me in this sport. They hate that I run this sport, but when you try to assassinate a guy like me, it only makes me bigger. I'm on a mission from God, a mission from God, a servant of God to save this sport. And that's exactly what I will keep doing. Keep on winning, keep on fighting.’’
Paul has fought four MMA fighters — Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Ben Askren — and defeated them all.
Perry, who also competed in the UFC before joining the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in 2021, shoved Paul back during the weigh-in. Several security guards then pulled Perry away from Paul.
“They working hard to protect him, bro,’’ Perry said, referring to Paul. “But tomorrow night in the ring, when it's just me and him, no protection. He going down.
“You've seen how hard those big guys had to work to get me back. I was pushing through the (men). Moving all of they (expletive). That's like a thousand pounds of pressure. That's called 'Platinum Pressure.' I'm putting it on him tomorrow night.’’
Perry's trainer James "JT" Taylor told USA TODAY Sports he didn't know anything about a potential contract offer coming from White should Perry win. Spokespeople for the UFC did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter left via voicemail and text.
Jake Paul weigh-in
"Platinum" Mike Perry, also nicknamed the "King of Violence," weighed in at 196.6 pounds. He got knocked out in 2015 in his only pro boxing match but is 5-0 in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Paul, who as a pro boxer is 9-1 with six knockouts, weighed in at 200 pounds – the maximum allowed for the cruiserweight fight.
Words were exchanged before the shoves.
“Why are you nervous?’’ Paul said. “I can see it in your eyes.”
Replied Perry, “I’m excited.’’
Perry indicated he wasn’t worried about the weigh-in showdown.
“You can have all this,’’ Perry said. “I want the ring tomorrow. That's all I want.’’
Replied Paul, “You're going to eat the ring tomorrow. Face first.’’
veryGood! (7)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- Demi Lovato Gets the Last Laugh on That Poot Meme With Hilarious Birthday Treat
- RHOA Shocker: One Housewife's Ex Reveals He's Had a Secret Child for 26 Years
- Man dies while trying to rescue mother and child from New Hampshire river
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Full transcript of Face the Nation, August 20, 2023
- What to stream this week: Adam Sandler, ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ Tim McGraw and ‘Honor Among Thieves’
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $300 Crossbody Bag for Just $89
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Trump plans to skip first 2024 Republican primary debate
Ranking
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Kansas newspaper releases affidavits police used to justify raids
- Save 42% On That Vitamix Blender You’ve Always Wanted
- Montana asks judge to allow TikTok ban to take effect while legal challenge moves through courts
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Jennifer Lopez shares photos from Georgia wedding to Ben Affleck on first anniversary
- UK judge set to sentence nurse Lucy Letby for murders of 7 babies and attempted murders of 6
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow progressing from calf injury
Recommendation
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
2nd person found dead in eastern Washington wildfires, hundreds of structures burned
Halfway there! Noah Lyles wins 100 meters in pursuit of sprint double at world championships
Tenor Freddie de Tommaso, a young British sensation, makes US opera debut
What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
Britney Spears' husband, Sam Asghari, files for divorce in Los Angeles, court records show
Southern California braces for more floods as tropical storm soaks region from coast to desert
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $300 Crossbody Bag for Just $89