Jake Paul couldn’t help but criticize Dana White when discussing the possibility of Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou.
Paul was on Anthem in Washington DC to face Ngannou and Renan Ferreira ahead of their PFL heavyweight title fight on October 19, in what will be “The Predator’s” first MMA fight since leaving the UFC.
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Ngannou parted ways with the major MMA promotion in 2022 as heavyweight champion after defending his title against Ciryl Gane earlier in the year.
Jones took over the vacant belt in March 2023, also defeating Gane, while ‘The Predator’ signed with the PFL.
MMA fans are eager to see a joint UFC/PFL promotional fight between Jones and Ngannou to prove who is the greatest heavyweight in the world.
However, Paul doesn’t anticipate UFC President White being willing to make that happen.
“Well, I think Dana [White] “He’s scared to make it happen. I think he doesn’t want to lose his horse on Jon Jones,” Paul said at the PFL ‘Battle of the Baddest’ press conference.
“I love Jon Jones, but this is too big a risk for Dana to take. Francis is one of the worst, if not the worst man on the planet.
“So I think Dana is scared. I don’t think he would want to do it, but MMA fans want it.
“Isn’t that what everyone wants? But Dana never does anything for the fans.”
White has always been against doing the crossover clash.
However, he seems more open to the idea now that Saudi Arabia and His Excellency Turki Alalshikh entered the MMA ball.
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During the post-fight press conference for UFC 303 In June, White was asked if there was anything the Saudis could do to persuade him to participate in the successful confrontation.
He replied, “Well, I really respect Sheikh Turki, he’s a nice guy.
“We’ve actually built a relationship over the last few months.
“I respect what he’s done with boxing. That’s the only guy who could do that and make those big fights.
“And the fights are good, you don’t have guys coming in and avoiding the fights so they can get the next prize.
“What this guy has done in a short space of time is incredible, so we’re obviously talking about a lot of different options with him.
“I respect him. I like him, so we’ll see what the future holds.”
Jones vs Ngannou is reportedly on HE Alalshikh’s MMA wish list.
It remains to be seen whether the man who united rival boxing promotions around the world can do the same in MMA.