UFC legend Jorge Masvidal has been banned from getting into the ring with Jake Paul.
The 40-year-old has not fought in the Octagon since 2023 after deciding to enter the squared circle.
Dana White was happy to sanction Masvidal fighting outside the company but drew the line at taking on the motor-mouthed YouTuber to settle a long-standing beef.
“I’m full time with the UFC, the UFC granted me permission to box outside the company, but one of the names that I wasn’t allowed to fight was Jake Paul,” he told Sportsbook Review.
“The reason is, he’s trashed the UFC brand too much, he’s disrespected Dana and Hunter [Campbell] too much, he said things he shouldn’t have said.”
Masvidal did keep the door open to taking on Paul, who faces Mike Tyson in Dallas on Friday night, at some point in the future – but there is one massive catch.
“The UFC said I’m one of their top sellers, why are we going to allow you to go make some money for this f****** dweeb over here,” he added.
“So I’m not allowed to fight Jake until I’m done with my UFC career.”
Masvidal reckons Paul should be able to topple boxing great Iron Mike.
“What kind of 58-year-old man can keep up with someone in their 20s when they’re doing a sprint? It’s tough in a regular foot race, it’s tough on the cardio side,” he explained.
“I know he’s not fighting a killer like Evander Holyfield, but Jake is in his prime, all this guy does is eat, sleep and box – he trains his ass off.
“I know it looks like he’s always partying and s***, but this guy is training Monday through Saturday, he’s running his miles, he’s hitting the bag and I just don’t know what kind of physical condition Mike is going to be in.
“I know he’s got his injuries, can he really pull it off at 60 years old? I feel like Jake’s gonna take the first two rounds off, just get on his bike and move around, wear Tyson out.
“He’ll get tired. He will probably want to take Mike into the later rounds and then it’s going to be a problem.”
Masvidal thinks 27-year-old Paul must be wary but believes there is another factor working in his favor.
“I don’t think Jake is a good enough boxer to keep Mike off,” he added.
“But I’m leaning towards Jake by decision. It’s 14oz gloves so that favors Jake, so he should be able to take a shot better.
“The longer it goes the better it is for Jake, but can he get out of those first two rounds?
“Jake wins because of the overall age, conditioning, shape, it’s going to make a big difference.”
Masvidal is set to return to UFC next year and has set his sights on Leon Edwards.
“We’ll be coming into the UFC next year,” Masvidal confirmed. “We’re working out the details, the dates, and getting the card set up. It’s definitely going to be in the UFC.
“We have unfinished business. Leon is scared of me, man.
“He’s never wanted this fight. I want to fight the world’s best.”
