UFC CEO Dana White has shared his candid thoughts on the upcoming bout between boxing legend Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-pro boxer Jake Paul.
Set to take place on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this showdown has stirred both excitement and skepticism.
Tyson, at 58 years old, will face the 27-year-old rising star Paul in what promises to be an intriguing match. However, Dana White, a close friend of Tyson, is not shy about expressing his reservations.
During the UFC 299 post-fight news conference in Miami, White hesitated to delve too deep into his feelings, mindful of his friendship with Tyson. He conveyed, “He gets mad when I do this, but Mike’s 60, man. I don’t know, what do you guys think about it? Who gives a sh*t what I think? It’s not my fight."
While expressing personal admiration for Tyson, one of his favorite athletes, White couldn't overlook the age gap. "I don’t like to see guys fighting at (that age). It’d be a 31-year age difference during that fight. You guys know what I think of that stuff."
Despite his reservations, White acknowledged the potential appeal of the fight airing on Netflix for subscribers. The streaming giant recently secured a deal with WWE to broadcast its "Raw" weekly series and other WWE content starting in 2025. White sees the increasing involvement of streaming platforms in live sports as a significant trend.
“I think that Netflix should have gotten into live sports years ago,” White stated. “I think they’re late to the game, but they are a force. When you look at the amount of homes that they’re in worldwide … as all these massive streaming companies start to get bigger and bigger, they have to be involved in live sports.”
The UFC, currently in a broadcast deal with ESPN, shares a connection with the WWE through TKO Group Holdings, owned by Endeavor. White's comments hint at the potential for future discussions between the UFC and Netflix when their current broadcasting agreement concludes.
As the Tyson vs. Paul bout draws near, the mix of opinions, age considerations, and the growing influence of streaming platforms continue to shape the landscape of combat sports.