The public rivalry between UFC CEO Dana White and Jake Paul‘s advisor Nakisa Bidarian intensified recently over the upcoming boxing match between Paul and Anthony Joshua. Scheduled for December 19, 2023, in Miami, the fight has drawn White’s criticism and sparked a heated exchange of accusations.
During a post-fight press conference following UFC 322 on November 15, 2023, White was questioned about the anticipated boxing match. Known for his long-standing disapproval of Paul and Bidarian, White dismissed the fight as “a bad idea.” He acknowledged the match’s potential for drawing viewers, stating, “A lot of people will watch that one.” When pressed on whether he would personally tune in, he added, “Sure. You know what everybody’s tuning in for on that one.” This mixed response reflects the competitive tension between the UFC and Paul’s boxing initiatives, suggesting that White views the bout with both skepticism and intrigue.
The friction between White and Paul is underscored by Bidarian’s remarks during a November 24 appearance, where he refuted White’s claim of unawareness regarding the fight. Bidarian accused White of dishonesty, asserting, “For Dana to say he wasn’t aware of this event is a blatant lie. Dana lies frequently.” He further emphasized that the UFC was indeed aware of the event and had plans for its announcement.
Bidarian expanded on the UFC’s stance towards Paul, revealing that the organization actively discourages its fighters from associating with him or his promotion. According to Bidarian, those who choose to compete against Paul face serious consequences, including potential bans from UFC events and exclusion from future opportunities at the Performance Center. This policy indicates that the UFC sees Paul not just as a competitor, but as a genuine threat to its dominance in the combat sports arena.
The conflict also highlights the personal dimensions of the feud. Bidarian’s direct accusations and his claims regarding White’s obsessive interest in Paul suggest a deeper rivalry that transcends professional boundaries. He remarked, “That just shows you the level of interest that he has in seeing the downfall of Jake Paul,” indicating that White’s engagement with the fight may stem more from a desire to see Paul fail than from a sincere interest in the sport.
As the narrative unfolds, the public conflict between White and Bidarian ensures sustained media attention, particularly given the high-profile nature of the fighters involved. The boxing match between Paul and Joshua is set to be one of the most discussed events of the year, further amplifying the competitive atmosphere surrounding modern combat sports promotion.
This ongoing feud not only shapes the dynamics of the upcoming fight but also sets the stage for potential strategic maneuvers between the two camps. The intensity of their rivalry underscores the evolving landscape of combat sports, where personal animosities and professional ambitions collide in the public eye.
As anticipation builds for the December bout, the ongoing exchanges between White and Bidarian will likely continue to captivate audiences, highlighting the intricate interplay between sport, entertainment, and personal conflict in today’s fighting world.
