Overview
- During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi labeled MMA fans “not that intelligent” and repeatedly called them “stupid.”
- He argued that supporters should demand inter-promotional title bouts between champions of different organizations to determine who is truly the best.
- Reporting noted that UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly rejected co-promotion, including a potential Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight, while the PFL has signaled interest in making that matchup.
- The exchange was tied to Malignaggi’s broader criticism of Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing plans, including not recognizing belts from other sanctioning bodies, and he also took aim at MMA media and Conor McGregor.
- Coverage linked the remarks to Malignaggi’s fraught MMA history and flagged his bare-knuckle return at BKB 47 in Leeds on Saturday against Tyler Goodjohn, with some suggesting the comments could boost attention.