JAKE PAUL has purchased shares in the UFC’s parent company in a bid to help increase fighter pay in the promotion.
The YouTuber turned boxer has been leading the charge for better fighter pay over the last few months, taking numerous shots at UFC president Dana White in the process.
And in a bid to make significant changes to the promotion’s pay structure, Paul has purchased stocks in Endeavour along with investment partner Geoffrey Woo.
Early on Tuesday morning, he tweeted: “I’ve invested in EDR (UFC) stock with my partner @geoffreywoo 2 focus on UFCs ESG standards relating to fighters.
“We believe EDR can drive long-term economic value by increasing UFC fighter pay & providing them healthcare.
“Reaching out to @EngineNo_1 to partner on this ‘endeavour.'”
Paul and Woo are hoping more impact and activist hedge fund investors will come on board to help fighters get a bigger percentage of the revenue pie and free healthcare.
Woo tweeted: “My partner Jake has lead the way in changing the business of combat sports by not just talking about it, but being about it — fighter pay, healthcare, & championing women’s sport.
“And today is our next step in our vision of revolutionizing the industry.
“UFC has faced a rising chorus of criticism for the exploitation of its athletes — the [love] of [the] biz.
“The ratio of revenue going to athletes vs. owners & leagues is well below industry standard.
“This disparity hurts long-term shareholder value & this is not going to magically change.
Jake is the archetype of the future, where individual transcends the machine.
“This is happening across all sectors — media, entertainment, & tech start-ups where dynamic, innovative individuals & creators are bargaining toe-to-toe w the owners, the institutions, and the academy.
“We believe the best way to accelerate this inevitable revolution is to lead it from within the UFC as co-owners & impact investors.
“We will use our investment stake to rally fans, athletes, fellow shareholders, and management to do the right thing.”
Paul’s announcement of his acquisition of Endeavour shares came just hours after UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou revealed the promotion have threatened to sue his manager Marquel Martin for allegedly holding talks with the YouTuber’s business, Nakisa Bidarian.
During an appearance on The MMA Hour, he said: “I walked into the room waiting for my manager, my coach.
“And they were like, ‘Wow.’ I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’
“They told me they just received an email from the UFC saying they’re going to sue [Martin] for talking with this guy, Nakisa.
“Yeah. I’m like, ‘Who is Nakisa?’ “I wouldn’t recognise him if you put him in front of me.”
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