In a conversation with Logan Paul, UFC President Dana White explained why a potential exhibition between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis makes him skeptical. In White’s view, it’s not about skill or character — size comes first. He recalls Logan stepping in with Floyd Mayweather in 2021 and draws a parallel: despite technical differences, outcomes are determined by weight and anthropometrics. On the horizon is November 15, when Jake and Gervonta plan to stage a showcase. Meanwhile, Jake keeps consolidating his status at cruiserweight: the WBA has already included him in its rankings, and at the end of June he defeated Julio César Chávez Jr.
"Fight Your Equals": The Principle of Weight Classes
Question. Why does the idea of Jake Paul versus Gervonta Davis bother you?
Dana White. Because weight classes exist for a reason. Gervonta is an elite-level knockout artist, but his comfort zone is in the lighter divisions. Jake is bigger and heavier, and in the ring that instantly turns into an advantage: pressure, mauling, clinch work, using his frame. When the mass gap is significant, even the superior technique of a smaller boxer gets drowned out by physics.
Punching Power Vs. Body Mass
Question. People often say: "Davis hits harder than Floyd." Does that offset the difference?
Dana White. Gervonta is truly explosive; he transfers weight to the plant leg very well and knows how to catch the moment. But explosiveness is one thing, inertia is another. A bigger opponent absorbs and smothers. He ties you up, puts weight on the shoulders, walks you to the ropes, and breaks your rhythm. A heavy shot doesn’t change the fact that the opponent is simply larger and can use mass as a control tool.
Lessons From the Logan–Floyd Exhibition
Question. What’s the point of your comparison with Logan vs. Mayweather?
Dana White. It showed clearly how a big athlete can neutralize a lot through size, even if the smaller man is more technical. Floyd is a defensive genius, but he had to operate in an unusual physical environment. This is a similar picture: Jake can force the clinch, hang on his opponent, and melt away seconds and rounds.
The November Format and Jake's Career
Question. An exhibition format is announced for November 15. Does that change your assessment?
Dana White. It reduces risk but doesn’t erase the math. The show, the number of rounds, the gloves — fine, but ignoring a size imbalance is naïve. People want a spectacle, and my stance is simple: if you want fair competition, choose opponents your own size.
Rankings, Chávez Jr., and Ambitions
Question. How do you view Jake’s progress at cruiserweight and the win over Chávez Jr.?
Dana White. He’s doing his job — winning, drawing attention, entering the rankings. That’s normal for the show-business side of boxing. But if you establish yourself in a big division, it’s logical to fight big opponents. That’s how sporting reputation is built: not only by names on the poster, but by respecting the weight-class puzzle.
Conclusion
Dana White. I love the intrigue and the buzz around big events. But the foundation is sporting sense. Want a battle of skills? Let’s match people of the same size against each other. Then the winner isn’t a calculator of kilograms, but skill, risk management, and composure.
