Jake Paul has never been shy about voicing his opinions when it comes to the UFC, Dana White, or the broader combat sports landscape. And this week, after a series of blockbuster announcements from the UFC president, the YouTube-star-turned-boxer found himself agreeing with fans who believe the promotion may have missed the mark with some of its headline matchups.
On November 27, Dana White unveiled the first wave of UFC events that will shape the early months of 2026 — announcements that immediately lit up social media with mixed reactions. Chief among the reveals was the confirmation that Paddy Pimblett will headline UFC 324, marking the beginning of the organisation’s new broadcast partnership with Paramount+. The card is set for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be the first numbered UFC event that will not be part of the traditional pay-per-view model.
Just days later, the promotion will roll out another massive show. UFC 325 follows one week after, featuring a featherweight title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Lopes’ rise through the rankings has made him a fan favourite, but many viewers questioned whether his résumé is enough to warrant a title shot against one of the most accomplished champions in UFC history.
The criticism intensified once both cards were presented in full. Among the bouts raising eyebrows were two high-stakes title fights: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title, and Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight crown. While Nunes’ return from retirement is undeniably massive, fans argued that her matchup with Harrison — one of the most anticipated women’s MMA fights in years — should headline its own event rather than play second fiddle.
From Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong to Rose Namajunas vs Alexa Grasso, UFC 324 certainly boasts elite talent. Yet despite the depth of the card, fans were quick to question whether the star power distribution and title fight selections truly reflect meritocracy.
This is where Jake Paul entered the conversation.
Jake Paul Questions Dana White’s Vision
With fans already debating whether Pimblett or Lopes had earned their respective title opportunities, Jake Paul took to social media to weigh in — redirecting attention toward Dana White’s larger ambitions for the sport.
White has made it clear that 2025 and 2026 will mark a significant shift for the UFC and combat sports as a whole, especially with the long-anticipated launch of Zuffa Boxing under the TKO umbrella. His stated mission is to “fix boxing,” a mission Paul has openly mocked before.
But this time, Paul used the fan backlash surrounding the UFC’s new fight announcements to highlight what he sees as contradictions in White’s messaging.
“They want to abolish the Muhammad Ali Act because they claim they want to give boxing the best fighting the best…so why are all the fans crying foul about these new UFC fights they announced? And for sure [Kayla] Harrison [vs] [Amanda] Nunes should be its own main event.”
In referencing the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, Paul pointed directly to the ongoing tension between the UFC’s matchmaking model and the standards of traditional boxing. The UFC has long been criticised for having more promotional control than sporting logic, something Paul believes these latest cards exemplify. To him, if White wishes to claim superiority over boxing by promising elite matchups, then he should withstand scrutiny when UFC fight selections feel commercially driven rather than competitively justified.
Volkanovski’s Preference Highlights Fan Concerns
Adding fuel to the fire was Alexander Volkanovski himself, who made it clear after UFC 319 that Diego Lopes was not the opponent he wanted next.
“You couldn’t have scripted it any better. You get a guy who goes in and does a massive knockout like that on a big card, on a nine-fight win streak — I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer… Lerone Murphy, congratulations, see you soon.”
Volkanovski’s comments reinforced what many fans had already argued: the logical contender for the title was Lerone Murphy, not Lopes. When even the reigning champion is indirectly questioning the matchup, the criticism resonates more deeply.
Paul Defends His Own Upcoming Fight
While Paul was busy calling out inconsistencies in White’s plans, critics were also firing shots his way. His upcoming boxing match against Anthony Joshua — scheduled for December 19 — continues to be labelled a mismatch by many observers, with some suggesting it poses legitimate dangers for Paul given the gulf in experience and stature between the two fighters.
But Paul seized on another trending topic to defend himself. After seeing betting odds for Ben Whittaker’s November 29 bout pointing to an overwhelming favourite-vs-underdog dynamic, he argued that fans were being hypocritical.
“But my fight is the mismatch that they wouldn’t approve over there…”
Paul’s argument was simple: mismatches exist across combat sports, yet critics tend to single him out. In his view, if boxing purists are fine with prospects fighting heavily outmatched opponents, they cannot simply feign outrage when he steps into the ring with Joshua — especially when oddsmakers view his fight as more competitive than other bouts taking place on the same week.
A Clash of Narratives Heading Into 2026
The UFC’s broadcast move to Paramount+, the upcoming launch of Zuffa Boxing, fan controversies surrounding matchmaking, and Jake Paul’s continued presence as a disruptor all point toward a volatile and transformative year ahead for combat sports.
While Dana White positions himself as the leader who will revolutionise both MMA and boxing, Paul continues to position himself as the watchdog ready to remind fans — and White — of inconsistencies and double standards. Whether fans agree with Paul or not, his voice undeniably amplifies debates that the UFC would sometimes prefer to leave backstage.
What remains clear is that fans expect transparency, competitive integrity, and respect for fighter résumés — and they are not afraid to call out perceived shortcomings. With major UFC cards headlined by fighters some believe have not yet earned those spots, the promotional machinery once again finds itself at odds with public sentiment.
As 2026 approaches, the discourse around merit, matchmaking, and the future of combat sports will only intensify. And as always, Jake Paul will be right there throwing verbal jabs from ringside.
