Billie Joe Saunders backs Jake Paul in YouTube star’s Twitter row with Dana White.
Paul has hit out at the UFC president on several occasions, often criticizing his fighter pay.
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The 24-year-old American social media influencer intensified again, insisting that he would retire from boxing and fight 37-year-old Jorge Masvidal in the Octagon.
But Paul demanded the fulfillment of certain conditions, including an increase in the salaries of fighters.
The demands were as follows: “1) Increase the minimum combat pay per fight to $50k (it is now $12k).
“2) Guaranteed 50% of UFC annual revenue (1 billion in 2011) to UFC fighters.
“3) Provide long-term healthcare to all fighters (you said earlier that brain damage is part of the gig… imagine the NFL said so).
“There are many UFC alums who have publicly stated that they are suffering from brain damage.”
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Saunders, 32, a former two-weight boxing champion whom Paul once said he could beat in a fight, was supportive of the terms.
He posted on Instagram: “He (sic) has a point.”
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whitaker was also another player to publicly lag behind Paul.
Whitaker, 31, told The Mirror: “I would definitely love some health care, I would love long-lasting career security and I’m sure every fighter would.
“I want to change things up. But I’m not crying over spilled milk, it’s what it is.
“I’m so lucky to be able to do whatever I do for a living. Instead of asking for what I don’t have, I’m grateful for what I have.”
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