Former UFC star pleads for role in Jake Paul’s MMA merger as war waged with Dana White

Ex-UFC veteran Kevin Lee wants to help Jake Paul overtake Dana White with his new-look MMA promotion.

Paul first launched into the world of promoting MMA fights with a hugely successful event headlined by Ronda Rousey’s victory over Gina Carano in May.

But in his biggest move yet, Paul announced his Most Valuable Promotions banner had agreed a deal to merge with another rival of the UFC – PFL.

As part of his disruptive plan, Paul wants to bring down the UFC and White’s monopoly of the sport, having challenged him on fighter conditions and pay for several years.

And having already poached some talent from out of the reach of the UFC, Lee wants to be the next to jump ship.

After departing the UFC as a fighter following defeat to Rinat Fakhretdinov in 2023, he is well placed to know the promotion inside out after a nine year stint.

Lee believes he can draw in his experience as a fighting star, to land a new role at Paul’s venture to help promote and build the profile of fighters.

He wrote in a plea on social media: “I want to get involved with PFL / MVP now that it’s [Most Valuable Promotions].

“I think I can really add some promotion to the media for the other fighters.

“This is a great time to make the sport even bigger! Ive been advocating for the sport for over 12 years.

” No doubt the UFC has taken things to incredible heights.

“With the right approach [Jake Paul] and MVP can make the future brighter.”

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Paul is a direct competitor now, with the entire PFL roster soon to be under his control as part of an expanded Most Valuable Promotions outfit.

How does Paul plan to take over White? ‘It’s war’

Paul is fuelled by the opportunity to try and become a major player inside and outside of the cage.

He will be hoping his own roster, combined with his own plans to fight in the cage, are enough to lure some of the UFC’s biggest stars away from their contracts.

And the American, who has been at loggerheads with White for several years, already has his plan in place.

He said: “I’m going to war for fighters.

“Merging with the PFL gives us the opportunity to build something bigger than boxing and MMA.

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.

“400+ world-class fighters. Bigger events. Bigger opportunities. One mission: put fighters first.

“None of this would be possible without the fans, the fighters, the PFL, and the incredible family we’ve built at MVP. This is only the beginning.

“The Wall Street Journal said we want to pick a fight with the UFC and Dana White. We don’t just wanna pick a fight. We want to win the fight.”