DANA WHITE has talked down a feud with Jake Paul by admitting: ‘I don’t hate the guy’.
The UFC president has been locked in a verbal online spat with YouTube star Paul recently.
White was largely accused of underpaying his UFC stable, while he himself hit out at the American celebrity’s boxing record.
But the UFC boss has now set the record straight and played down a rivalry with Paul, who he claimed is just ‘trying to make some money’.
White told Manouk Akopyan: “He really hasn’t been a thorn in my side. I don’t hate the guy like people think I hate him.
“You know, he’s out there doing his thing. He’s a young guy who’s got a fanbase and is trying to make some money. I don’t ever fault anybody for that.”
Paul, 24, has knocked out and beaten two of White’s former fighters, Ben Askren, 37, and Tyron Woodley, 39.
Ex-UFC champion Woodley initially lost on points in August but was KO’d in their December rematch.
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Paul’s over two wins came against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA point guard Nate Robinson, 37.
As a result, White has mocked the social media sensation for failing to fight an opponent who has boxed professionally before.
Their spat also turned sour when Paul accused the MMA promoter of using cocaine.
But White refuted the accusation and offered to be tested for the recreational drug over a TEN YEAR period.
In return, he asked to drug test Paul for two years, accusing the 5-0 prizefighter of using steroids.
Paul later hit back and denied the allegations and agreed to be tested by United States Anti Doping Agency – the UFC’s drug testing partners.
The viral back-and-forth came as a shock to boxing promoter promoter Eddie Hearn, who praised Paul for engaging White so publicly.
Hearn said to DAZN Boxing: “Jake Paul’s done really well to engage Dana White in those conversations.
“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Dana White and I was quite shocked that he posted a video about Jake Paul addressing him.
“That would have been music to Jake Paul’s ears. Music to his ears, because that’s what he does, he goads you to the point you start talking back.”
