Key Takeaways
- Jake Paul shrugs off criticism of fighting older opponents like Mike Tyson and says his real legacy is that he “brought boxing and combat sports to Netflix” and delivered what he claims is the platform’s most-watched sporting event ever.
- He points to massive viewership for the Tyson bout, his loss to Anthony Joshua, and MVP’s Ronda Rousey–Gina Carano MMA card as proof he’s one of combat sports’ biggest commercial draws and that MVP can pull UFC-level audiences on Netflix and ESPN.
- Beyond streaming numbers, Paul’s MVP has pushed women’s boxing—recently promoting Hannah Rapp’s WBC title challenge before her death—and he says critics can either “jump on the train” of his growing influence or keep talking “sh*t.”
Jake Paul isn't interested in debating his critics anymore. The boxer and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) co-founder is once again defending his place in combat sports, arguing that his biggest achievement isn't who he's fought—it's the massive audiences he's brought to boxing.
"I brought boxing and combat sports to Netflix and had the most-viewed sporting event streamed ever," Paul told Front Office Sports. "And I don't think it'll ever be broken."
The comments are Paul's latest response to the criticism that has followed his blockbuster November 2024 bout against 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
While the fight drew backlash over the age gap, Paul says the conversation ignores what it accomplished for the sport. "You can say, 'He fought an old guy, beat up Mike Tyson, how dare he,' or you can say I brought boxing and combat sports to Netflix," he said. "So there's two ways to look at the coin. And it's easier to be a hater. I'd probably hate me too."
Netflix estimated the Tyson fight averaged 108 million viewers globally, with roughly 60 million households tuning in and a peak of 65 million concurrent streams worldwide.
While those figures weren't independently verified by Nielsen, the event became a landmark moment for Netflix's push into live sports and cemented Paul's status as one of combat sports' biggest commercial draws.
That momentum has continued well beyond the Tyson fight. Paul's knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025 still attracted 33 million global viewers on Netflix, while MVP's first MMA event on the platform—headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano—averaged 12.4 million viewers worldwide.
MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian said the company has proven it can generate audiences on a scale few outside the UFC have managed. "We did that with Netflix, MVP, and the fighters involved," he told Front Office Sports.
The promotion is now looking to expand its MMA footprint while continuing to stage boxing events on both Netflix and ESPN.
MVP has also remained active outside the streaming numbers. Just last month, the company promoted Hannah Rapp's challenge for Tiara Brown's WBC featherweight title, weeks before Rapp was tragically struck and killed by a driver while cycling in Texas.
Paul joined the boxing community in mourning the 26-year-old, posting, "Condolences to all of Hannah's family, friends and teammates. RIP warrior." The promotion has also doubled down on women's boxing, helping elevate fighters through its partnership with ESPN.
As Paul's influence grows beyond the ring, he's made it clear he has little interest in changing anyone's mind. "They can choose what side they want to be on," he said. "They can jump on the train because it's not going to stop moving, or they can talk sh*t."
