Jake Paul ‘banned’ from rival sport in heated row ahead of fight against Mike Tyson | Boxing

Jake Paul claims he has been banned from attending UFC events, despite Dana White insisting he is more than welcome. The two men aren’t exactly the best of friends, as they’ve traded off several times on social media.

Paul, who fights Mike Tyson this weekend, has not been afraid to criticize the UFC over the way their athletes are treated. Last year he said he wanted to see their minimum wage for UFC fighters rise from the current figure of £9,477.

The YouTube star has also criticized White for the way he publicly disses the athletes who help keep the business thriving. Earlier this year he claimed he was banned from attending UFC events before sneaking into their card at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Paul wore a fake beard, wig, flannel shirt and sunglasses in an attempt to enter the arena for UFC 306. It prompted White to clarify that no one is barred from attending the promotion’s events, meaning Paul’s antics had been pointless.

“Oscar De La Hoya was there, put it that way,” White said. “No one is excluded from the UFC. Listen, that kid knows how to market and do his thing and all that good stuff. Jake Paul is welcome to come to the UFC.”

However, Paul said in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated that White sent him an email telling him in no uncertain terms that he was not allowed to attend any UFC events.

“He’s just saying that to give the impression that I’m not banned, but he definitely sent me an email saying that I’m banned from all UFC events and that I’m not welcome anymore,” Paul said . “So of course Dana does what he does best, which is lying.”

More recently, Paul underlined his respect for White, despite the animosity between them. He praised the UFC supremo after he gave a speech at the Republican National Convention endorsing Donald Trump ahead of the US election.

“I applaud the UFC and what they have done for MMA as a sport,” he told the Full Send podcast. “And their promotion, production and all their stuff is great. Like, people think I’m the UFC. I’m not.

“I also have a lot of respect for (White). His speech at the RNC was great. We agree on so many things and I think there’s a great side to him. I’m sure we could maybe be friends in this. ” life, perhaps in another life.

“I just want fighters to get paid more, that’s all. $12,000 to fight? Even if they fight four times a year, it is not enough to support their family.”