UFC CEO Dana White and polarizing boxing star Jake Paul had an awkward face-to-face encounter at the CFP National Championship Game.
UFC CEO Dana White and boxing star/social media influencer Jake Paul have been on each other’s nerves for years.
White, the longtime UFC headman, has been the target of many of Paul’s troll jobs in recent years. Paul is also a frequent critic of White and the UFC’s business dealings, and more specifically, how fighters are financially compensated for their efforts.
White most recently mocked Paul’s recent boxing performance against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Paul suffered his second-career defeat in the boxing ring, and his first by knockout/TKO.
White said all parties involved in the event should be ’embarrassed’ after watching Joshua finish Paul in their fight. Just months ago, White scorched Paul and his ‘warlock’ manager for suing critics of his boxing career.
Dana White, Jake Paul have an awkward run-in after White mocks loss to Anthony Joshua
While White and Paul don’t share a lot in common, they’ve been in the same vicinity numerous times, including at UFC events. The two polarizing combat sports personalities were in attendance at the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Miami and Indiana on Monday night.
Just days after White’s critical remarks, he and Paul had an awkward moment inside a suite.
Watch White and Paul come face-to-face below at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with U.S. President Donald Trump in between them.
Dana White and Jake Paul were face to face last night after years of beef 👀😳 pic.twitter.com/qXi4kFSXA1
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) January 21, 2026
White has been a busy man to start the new year. The UFC is days away from returning to action this Saturday in Las Vegas at UFC 324.
As for what’s next for Paul, he’s teased an indefinite break from fighting as he plots his next move. In the meantime, it appears things between White and Paul remain as tense as ever.