Jake Paul takes subtle dig at Dwayne Johnson after MVP MMA’s record-breaking Netflix debut as The Rock’s NFL competitor XFL falls flat

Jake Paul is enjoying the early success of MVP MMA after the promotion’s debut event reportedly delivered huge numbers on Netflix. The card, headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, became one of the most watched MMA broadcasts ever. Following the event, Paul appeared to take a subtle shot at

Dwayne Johnson

and the XFL while celebrating the success of his new MMA venture.Paul shared his thoughts on social media and compared MVP MMA’s position in combat sports to the XFL trying to compete with the NFL. His comments quickly attracted attention because Johnson played a major role in the XFL’s relaunch. While Paul did not directly attack Johnson, many fans felt the comparison was aimed at highlighting how difficult it is for new leagues to challenge established giants while still creating major buzz and attention.

Jake Paul believes MVP MMA has already shaken up the combat sports industry

Jake Paul explained that people should not dismiss new sports organizations simply because they compete against massive brands like the UFC or NFL. He suggested MVP MMA’s launch proved a startup promotion can still create huge interest if it understands entertainment and modern audiences. Paul pointed to the strong viewership numbers from the Netflix event as evidence that fans are willing to support fresh ideas in combat sports.

The XFL, which was bought by Dwayne Johnson’s ownership group after bankruptcy, initially generated excitement during its relaunch. Its debut weekend in 2020 reportedly attracted millions of viewers. However, regular season ratings later declined, and the league struggled financially despite heavy investment. The NFL, meanwhile, continued dominating American football with massive television audiences every season.Paul appeared to compare that situation to MMA, where the UFC has controlled the sport for years with its global roster, strong infrastructure, and long history. Still, he believes MVP MMA has already shown signs of becoming a disruptive force. Reports claimed the promotion’s debut card averaged over 12 million global viewers and peaked close to 17 million during the main event between Rousey and Carano.There also seems to be personal frustration behind Paul’s comments. The social media star has often criticized TKO Group, the company connected to both the UFC and

WWE

. He recently claimed the organization refuses to allow him to attend his brother Logan Paul’s WWE appearances because of ongoing tensions. Paul said he enjoys the rivalry and views the conflict as entertaining, but he also sees MVP MMA’s success as proof that established powers in combat sports can still be challenged.