UFC president Dana White has refused to rule out Jake Paul fighting Conor McGregor - but doesn't see it taking place in the cage.
Paul made an offer to White last weekend that would see him sign a one-fight deal with the UFC in order to face McGregor. If he won, the YouTuber would demand White implement better pay and healthcare for his fighters.
And if he lost, Paul promised to donate his prize money to the fighters who earn less than $50,000 per bout. But while White admits Paul could fight McGregor, he has no plan to stage the bout in his promotion.
Asked if the fight would happen, White told the Impaulsive podcast : "Probably not. I'm never closed off to anything. I used to say that about things but I don't anymore.
"I don't hate the kid. He came out and said, 'Now you love me'... well I never said that but I don't hate him. He's a young kid out there trying to make some money and I don't fault anyone for that.
'We have the most successful combat sports business of all time; what we do is completely different to what him and his brother [Logan] are doing."
Paul has amassed a record of 5-0 in professional boxing having beaten a fellow YouTube star, a former NBA star and ex-UFC fighters Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. His brother Logan took on Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout last summer and White was involved in the ring legend's clash with McGregor in 2017.
But he can't see himself being involved in a McGregor crossover fight in the cage.
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"I'm looking for the absolute best in the world. It's not what we do, there's a market for what they do," he added. "The Floyd vs Conor fight, everyone wanted to see it and it took on a life of its own.
"[Jake] shouldn't even be fighting Conor McGregor; these guys are huge and Conor McGregor is 145/155lb."
Paul has revealed he took up boxing with the specific aim of facing McGregor in the squared circle.
The Irishman has two fights left on his UFC contract and so could be free to face Paul in the ring next year.
McGregor is expected to return to the cage in either summer or autumn having been recovering from the broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier last summer.
