Reacting to the news that Paul vs. Rahman Jr. had been cancelled, White hinted that the lack of interest in the event was a much bigger problem than anything involving the fighters. “I think they sold less than a million dollars in tickets and it costs $500,000 to put the lights on at MSG,” White said at the UFC 277 post-fight press conference. “That’s what I think. “Not to mention hotel rooms in New York and transportation and everything else is very expensive.” Paul was headlined against Rahman Jr after his original opponent Tommy Fury was unable to get permission to travel to the US. to 205 pounds — since the fight was originally supposed to take place at 200 pounds. When Rahman Jr. reportedly requested a 215-pound catchweight concession, the bout was abandoned. As much as White believes low ticket sales played a role in the event’s cancellation, he still wished no ill will on Paul or Rahman Jr. “I’m not going to sit here and be happy or be happy that their fight fell out,” White said. Both guys, I’m sure they put in a lot of hard work and a lot of training to get ready for this fight, they spent money to get ready for this fight. While the UFC president rarely speaks well on the subject of Paul, he didn’t take a direct shot at him Saturday. Instead, he criticized Paul’s choice of business partners. “I will say this, just because you were an accountant here doesn’t mean you know what’s going on here,” White said, referring to Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian, who previously served as the UFC’s Chief Financial Officer. . “It doesn’t mean you can run a racing promotion company.” Paul counts Bidarian as a consultant and business partner as co-owners of Most Valuable Promotions, the company that also manages women’s boxing champion Amanda Serrano, who was previously scheduled to fight on the same August 6 card. After what transpired with the fight against Rahman Jr. and the cancellation of the entire event, White offered Paul some sharp advice for his fighting career. “I think Jake Paul probably needs to get some different people around him,” White said. “If he’s going to stay in the sport, he’s got to be with guys who really know how to fight.”
