Stephen Glover, better known as Steve-O, recently made a stunning revelation, claiming that Dana White once ditched a UFC main event to watch Jake Paul’s boxing match instead.
It’s well-known that for several years, Paul and White have been locked in a heated war of words, frequently clashing with starkly opposing views on a range of issues. It’s primarily “The Problem Child” who has, time and again, slammed the UFC CEO for underpaying his fighters and failing to provide adequate medical coverage.
On the other hand, White’s frustration with Paul became public when the YouTuber-turned-boxer began taking on retired UFC fighters like Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley in the squared circle. The UFC head honcho has fiercely dismissed the 27-year-old Ohio native’s criticism of fighter pay. White has also voiced his opinion that Paul only fights opponents well past their prime.
Although White isn’t fond of Paul’s crossover boxing exploits, according to Steve-O, the 55-year-old businessman once tuned in to watch “The Problem Child” take on one of the most prominent ex-UFC superstars.
Steve-O Claims White Skipped UFC Nashville Main Event to Watch Paul vs. Diaz
During a recent appearance on BS w/ Jake Paul, Steve-O, a close friend of White, revealed an interesting moment from UFC Fight Night Nashville in August 2023. While Cory Sandhagen battled Rob Font in the main event, White apparently found the fight dull and slipped backstage to his room.
Instead of watching the UFC headliner, he tuned in to catch Paul’s cruiserweight showdown against Nate Diaz, which was happening simultaneously at the American Airlines Center in Texas.
“I can tell you that when you boxed Nate Diaz that night, there was a UFC Fight Night in Nashville, Tennessee,” Steve-O said. “I had arranged to fly to Nashville because I was very interested in looking at properties… You know, that’s why I was in Nashville for this fight night. It was Cory Sandhagen versus Rob Font, and the main event was dreadfully boring. Dana dipped out of the arena, and after the fight, I was walking out, and we were like, ‘Oh, what’s up with Dana?’ We go into his room, and he’s just turned on you fighting Nate Diaz, and I watched you fight Nate Diaz with Dana.”
In an interview with boxing icon Mike Tyson last year, White dispelled the widespread belief that he harbors hatred for “The Problem Child”. In fact, White clarified that he doesn’t dislike him at all.
Instead, he’s friends with Jake’s sibling, Logan Paul, whose beverage Prime became the official hydration partner of the UFC in February 2023.