Dana White gives first response to Jake Paul’s seismic move into MMA with PFL deal

Dana White is in no way fearful of Jake Paul’s arrival into full-time MMA promotion.

Paul has vowed to bring down Dana White‘s UFC monopoly for several years, with the promotion holding the cards in MMA since the turn of the century.

He began his own journey into MMA promotion with a blockbuster first event between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano this year on Netflix.

It was a huge success with 17 million viewers tuning in to the event globally, as Paul vowed he wouldn’t stop there.

And now in a monumental power play to try and take on White directly, Paul has signed a merger deal with the PFL.

It will see their roster move under the Most Valuable Promotions [MVP] banner, and sees Paul now in command of a roster of over 400 fighters.

The likes of Usman Nurmagomedov, who recently beat Archie Colgan at PFL New York, and Dakota Ditcheva will be part of the deal and will move across.

White’s reaction to Paul’s PFL merger

Despite the potential threat to White’s dominance in MMA, he is not too worried.

He believes that his promotion, that is valued close to $1 billion, will still attract viewership and fighters over Paul’s new venture.

He reacted: “I don’t know anything about what they’re doing.

“It probably makes sense when shit isn’t working for anybody, they should all probably get together.

“Let’s take two organizations that don’t sell tickets and nobody watches and let’s merge them together and make a bigger company that won’t sell tickets and nobody will watch.

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“Listen, I’ve said this a hundred times and I’m f—— around. I don’t look at any of those guys as our competition.

“We’re on a whole other f—— stratosphere now. I mean, I’m competing with all the majors.

“Those guys aren’t my competition so good luck to them all. I wish them all the best.”

Paul’s first event was watched by millions, but it is unclear how he will be able to go up against the UFC on a longer term basis.

White’s promotion shattered their own viewership record with the blockbuster UFC White House card this year, and still hold most of the biggest stars.

The likes of Conor McGregor, Jon Jones and others all have deals with the UFC, although they are close to expiration, and it is unclear if Paul can poach any out-of-contract talent.

UFC Schedule

There are still several blockbuster shows and exciting contests for fight fans to look forward to in 2026, and you can find the full list of all confirmed events and official bouts as part of talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.

The UFC, on average, puts on 13 to 14 premium events in a calendar year, with up to 30 smaller ‘Fight Night’ cards allowing prospects and less experienced fighters to showcase their talents.

On January 1, 2026, Dana White’s promotion signed a seven-year broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+ for exclusive rights in the US, meaning the UFC has put on shows like never before this year.

With the historic first event in the new Paramount era, UFC 324, delivering huge success, and a one-of-a-kind fight card at the White House in June opening up the UFC to a new audience, the promotion remains a premium global sports brand, and fans are eager to keep track of results and upcoming fights.

Paul’s new venture has yet to sign a full-time deal, but may work with several broadcasters having already aired shows on Netflix, ESPN and Sky Sports.

It will take a monumental effort to dislodge the UFC as the biggest commercial promotion, who recently signed a multi-billion TV deal with Paramount+.

But Paul has vowed to reward the fighters with more lucrative deals and ensure conditions will see the best of the best flood across.