The public sentiment around the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis exhibition wasn’t exactly favorable. But it wasn’t terrible either. Boxing was getting exposure, and there was plenty to talk about—even if most of it was complaints. However, once the fight was scrapped, Paul began his search for a new opponent, pushing his next bout to December. So, it wasn’t all that surprising when the Cleveland native mentioned Alex Pereira on his latest hit list of marquee names—fighters he claims will keep him busy.
“His team is down [to do the fight],” Paul told ESPN. “I think the only thing preventing it is the UFC. If these guys can get out of their contracts to fight me, it would be a massive fight.” On the surface, it might sound like a far-fetched idea—especially since Pereira still has four fights left on his UFC deal. But with ‘Poatan’ hinting at an appearance on the White House Card next June, the possibility doesn’t seem entirely unrealistic. For that to happen, though, the UFC would need to play along—and Dana White isn’t exactly known for sharing profits. But he has to!
Money and promotional opportunity alone should convince Dana White
Most fans remember Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor, and how could they not? Yet, in the beginning, even the UFC CEO wasn’t sold on the idea. It took McGregor’s persistence, the enormous financial potential, and the global spotlight that the bout promised to finally win Dana White over. What followed was a rare, low-risk promotional masterstroke: a boxing-only event that elevated the UFC brand without competing directly.
White co-promoted the fight with full force, later calling it a historic payday. And he wasn’t exaggerating. The clash generated over $600 million in revenue, with McGregor taking home around $130 million and the UFC securing a hefty cut. Today, the promotion arguably outshines boxing in mainstream popularity. So why not replicate the formula, especially ahead of what’s being billed as the biggest UFC card in history, perhaps even in the country’s history?
Alex Pereira already commands a massive following in both the U.S. and back home in Brazil, while Jake Paul’s name alone guarantees headlines. A matchup between them would be pure spectacle. Fans would pay to see the Brazilian powerhouse strike fear into Paul. Since it wouldn’t be an MMA fight and could happen before next year, pay-per-view would still be on the table.