Now that Nate Diaz has avenged his previous loss to Jorge Masvidal, he has other names in mind that he’d like to get wins back on.
Diaz scored a majority decision win over Masvidal in the main event of a boxing card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, on July 6. This served as a rematch — albeit in another sport — five years from their first encounter at UFC 244. Masvidal won the initial fight by doctor’s stoppage, making him the first-ever BMF champion of the UFC.
Diaz scored the win in the closely contested boxing match with a volume-based attack, despite Masvidal landing the harder and arguably cleaner strikes.
Following the fight, despite Masvidal’s wishes for a trilogy bout and an exchanging of words, Diaz expressed a desire to get back in the ring with Jake Paul and to return to the UFC to face current welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
Nate Diaz Calls Out Jake Paul & Leon Edwards After Avenging Jorge Masvidal Defeat
Diaz doubled down on these thoughts at the post-fight press conference.
“Just off the top of my head, I would like to whip (Paul’s) ass,” Diaz said. “I would like to get a win against Leon Edwards, who’s the best fighter in the world right now at 170 (pounds). I think that’s something major who actually brings something that I can take and put in a credential box. That’s what I’m going for. I’m not playing for no f*cking fun fights, because that sh*t ain’t fun.”
Diaz made his professional boxing debut against Paul last year. “The Problem Child” dealt some big damage to Diaz in the opening rounds before going on to win a decision.
Paul called Diaz out on social media after the fight, claiming that the Stockton native has been ducking him despite the callout. As he noted on X/Twitter this weekend, Paul has previously offered Diaz upwards of $15 million for a rematch in the PFL MMA cage, not in the boxing ring.
Fuck you Nate Diaz you’re a hoe who ducked my PFL $15m MMA offer
Mike Perry recently voiced his apprehension about inciting fan outrage if he were to pursue a future boxing match against the legendary, yet much older, Mike Tyson.
Perry is currently slated to fight Jake Paul on July 20 in an eight-round cruiserweight bout at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
We’re set to fight July 20th , I Promise to give the world the Fight they wanna see ! Gonna put the Platinum pressure on the problem child Live in Tampa, tickets on sale tomorrow at noon ! pic.twitter.com/V3WfZSRKK5
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) June 18, 2024
This matchup was announced after Paul’s planned fight against “Iron Mike” on the same date was pushed to November 15 due to the former undisputed heavyweight champion’s health scare.
The upcoming bout against Paul presents a tremendous opportunity for “Platinum” to elevate his profile on a grander stage. Already thriving as a bare-knuckle fighter, Perry is the biggest star in BKFC, boasting impressive victories over notable opponents like Michael Page, Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez.
Despite securing the fight due to unexpected circumstances, Perry is eager to compete against Tyson if he secures a win against the YouTuber-turned-boxer on July 20.
However, the former UFC welterweight fighter is cautious of potential public outcry, as many might disapprove of the matchup due to the significant age difference…
Perry Eyes Tyson Fight But Hesitant About Public Reaction
During a recent ESPN MMA interview, Perry was asked if he would consider fighting Tyson next, should he defeat “The Problem Child” and take his spotlight on November 15. “Platinum” eagerly affirmed his desire to face the boxing icon.
“Yes, absolutely. Of course, man, I’m thinking about that. I would definitely do it.”
However, the 32-year-old Michigan native acknowledged that facing Tyson would be the biggest matchup of his career, and he doesn’t want to provoke public backlash unnecessarily. For now, he is concentrating solely on his fight with Paul.
“The comments can be negative already, anyway, so now they’re going to say, ‘Oh, now you’re gonna fight the old guy.’ The internet is undefeated. That’s the one fight I don’t want to have is Mike Perry vs. the internet because I could be the guy to beat the internet, bro. Fighting Mike Tyson would be obviously be cool but I’m just focused on July 20, man. I gotta have tunnel vision, this is my opportunity to show the world.”
“Iron Mike” hasn’t fought professionally since retiring during his bout against Kevin McBride in June 2005. However, Tyson made a comeback in November 2020, stepping into the squared circle for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a draw.
Former UFC title challenger Darren Till is set to finally make his combat sports return this weekend after taking a late-notice fight at Social Knockout 3 in Dubai.
It has taken him a long time to get back in the mix, and after having this big fight collapse, he doesn’t want to lose out on the big opportunities that could have come with getting a win on July 20.
Darren Till Talks Wanting To Face Jake Paul & Mike Perry, Predicts Their Upcoming Fight
In an interview with Fred Talks Fighting ahead of his return to competition, Till laid out his plans for the near future.
Regardless of what happens on July 20, he is hoping to face either Mike Perry or Jake Paul, and there’s no denying that both fights would be big occasions for “The Gorilla.”
“I think it’s either Jake Paul or Mike Perry at this point. Me and Mike Perry have got a lot of history. … It’s always beef, it’s always war with Mike. We always push for war, never peace.”
Till also gave his prediction for the upcoming clash between Perry and Paul that was announced shortly after the postponement of the Tyson fight.
The former UFC fighter finds it difficult to call a winner because of what both men bring to the table, but he is leaning ever so slightly toward “The Problem Child.”
“I keep 50:50 on both, some days I say Jake ‘cause I know Jake’s the bigger man, but then I don’t think you can rule Perry out. Perry’s a tough man and he’s been beating all these veterans now. like, I think it’s a 50:50. I’m gonna sway towards Jake a little bit more.”
With a rematch of their boxing showdown in the steel surroundings of a cage looking unlikely, Jake Paul has been pitched an opponent other than Nate Diaz for his potential mixed martial arts venture.
While building his record in the sport of professional boxing, Paul has long outlined his intention to also make a splash in the MMA world too. That appeared to take a step closer to coming to fruition in early 2023 when he put pen to paper on an MMA-exclusive deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
At the time, the promotion noted that “The Problem Child” would spearhead its new PPV Super Fight division and make his debut in the SmartCage that same year. But in addition to 2023 completing without the ex-Disney star putting his MMA ambitions into motion, another calendar year is on its way to passing by.
After defeating former UFC star Nate Diaz in the ring last August, both Paul and the PFL higher-ups made public pleas for the Stockton native to meet the longtime online personality in the cage.
Since Diaz firmly dismissed that as a possibility, Paul’s focus has remained on boxing, where he’s set to face BKFC star Mike Perry later this month and heavyweight legend Mike Tyson toward the back end of 2024.
With that, the chances of Paul crossing over to the cage are looking increasingly more unlikely. One ex-fighter and key figure in the PFL’s expansion, however, still sees an opponent who could convince the Cleveland native to lace the 4oz gloves…
Hardy: Paul Could Be ‘Enticed’ To MMA For Woodley Fight
During an interview with MMA Fighting, Dan Hardy — a former UFC title challenger and the current director of fighter operations for PFL Europe — was asked about the current state of Paul’s plans in MMA.
After noting that a bout with Diaz appeared to take up all of Paul’s mixed martial arts interest, “The Outlaw” suggested that Diaz’s rejection stems from his fear of a stock-damaging defeat to “The Problem Child” in his realm of the fight game.
With that ship seemingly sailing, Hardy does have another name in mind that could reignite Paul’s interest in MMA.
“I think the idea ultimately was for Jake Paul to be able to get Nate Diaz in a cage and fight him in mixed martial arts,” Hardy said. “I think he had his heart set on Nate Diaz and I don’t think Nate Diaz wants to take the risk of sullying his name and his brand by losing to Jake in an MMA fight. I hate to say it but after watching the boxing match, I think Jake could potentially be a problem for Nate in MMA.
“If we’re doing it, the one that makes the most sense is Tyron Woodley. He’s been commentating with the PFL, he does a great job with that. Every time I see him, we have a very frosty handshake. I feel like he still wants to punch me in the face,” Hardy continued. “Of course, he’s got that knockout loss to Jake Paul. If I’m Tyron Woodley, I’m putting myself at the front of the line to welcome Jake Paul into MMA. I think that’s the kind of opponent Jake Paul could be enticed by.”
Paul and Woodley certainly have a history, having faced each other twice inside the squared circle. While their first contest in August 2021 was a close and competitive affair, the short-notice rematch four months later concluded with the former UFC champion face down on the canvas.
Having continued to express his plans to revisit MMA three years on from his UFC exit, perhaps “The Chosen One” will raise his hand for the task of welcoming Paul to the SmartCage.
For now, though, the polarizing YouTuber-turned-boxer will have his sights on a different ex-UFC athlete in Perry, who has emerged as a leading figure in bare-knuckle boxing owing to victories over Michael “Venom” Page, Luke Rockhold, Eddie Alvarez, and Thiago Alves.
The planned boxing showdown between YouTuber-turned-pugilist Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson won’t be going ahead this summer.
Paul and Tyson were due to do battle at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 20, headlining the very first live combat sports event to be broadcast on the Netflix streaming platform.
The bout immediately drew controversy upon its announcement owing to the three-decade age disparity between the former Disney star and the boxing legend, who will be 58 by the time the originally planned fight date rolls around.
That issue, revealed to be ulcer flare-ups, has now caused a postponement.
Netflix took to social media to announce the news, noting that the matchup will be kept together and instead take place toward the end of the year. The venue is expected to remain the same.
Unfortunately Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will not face-off on July 20 as planned. Tyson’s recent ulcer flare up has limited his ability to train fully for the next few weeks.
The fight will be rescheduled for a date later this year after Mike’s able to resume training with no… pic.twitter.com/fvXg4ccnYE
“Unfortunately Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will not face-off on July 20 as planned. Tyson’s recent ulcer flare up has limited his ability to train fully for the next few weeks. The fight will be rescheduled for a date later this year after Mike’s able to resume training with no limitations and both fighters can have equal time to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup! Stay tuned for the new fight date to be announced by the end of next week.”
The postponement comes after the pair had already completed a brief media tour promoting the now-scrapped summer clash in “The Lone Star State.”
Reacting to the news in a statement posted by his Most Valuable Promotions, Paul backed the decision to delay the match until Tyson is able to resume full training following his health issues.
“I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night,” Paul said. “My fans know I don’t want to face ‘Iron Mike’ at anything but his best, but let there be no mistake – when he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish. Paul vs Tyson will be one for the ages, and I promise to bring my best for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup.”
It appears the cancellation will also lead to a delay for the undercard fights, including the planned co-headlining championship rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
The latest cause for concern was from a health scare during a flight that was later cleared up with his team saying that he is fine despite becoming nauseous and dizzy before landing.
Tyson echoed this on his own social media account but this recent occurrence doesn’t seem to be an entirely isolated incident or an unexplainable one-off with little significance.
Now feeling 100% even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.
Chael Sonnen Says Mike Tyson Being In A Wheelchair Isn’t A Concern Ahead Of The Fight
Back when the fight was made official, some people raised a red flag over him needing to use a wheelchair in recent times.
Tyson explained that this was due to him suffering from sciatica, a nerve condition which can cause him to have pain in his legs, making this unrelated to the supposed ulcer flare-up that he suffered from this past weekend whilst heading to Los Angeles.
Though the wheelchair images have resurfaced since this news broke, and surely will come back around before the fight, Chael Sonnen isn’t too worried about them.
“The Bad Guy” is always looking to read between the lines when it comes to fight promotion and the narrative that people want to put out there.
In a recent YouTube video, he spoke about how these old photos are crucial in telling people about this fight.
“Or you could look at it the other way which is Mike Tyson and a mention of his fight with Jake Paul on Netflix would not have been on TMZ Sport today without that. It very much is a perspective of how you are going to handle it. I mean it would be a very very strange and insincere gesture, if you’re in the position of Jake Paul, to wish Mike well and Jake hasn’t done this but it would be a very strange gesture.”
Sonnen went on to say that the main marketing piece for this fight is about how the one attribute Paul has over the boxing legend is his youth.
Therefore by further emphasizing this, it makes the fight more interesting and compelling for potential viewers.
“This is a massive courageous moment by Mike and now you’re just going to add one more level of courage that you, the average man, couldn’t do. Because when you say that Tyson shouldn’t be able to fight in a month, you’re not really talking about Mike cuz you’re not really like Mike. You wouldn’t have any ability to relate.”
UFC star Nate Diaz and YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul have blasted Jorge Masvidal after his alleged attack on Colby Covington in Miami.
Masvidal allegedly confronted Covington outside of a restaurant in Miami on Monday night, hitting him with a couple of punches before the two sides were separated. Covington suffered a fractured tooth as a result of the assault and Masvidal could face a felony battery charge.
Masvidal and Covington fought in the UFC 272 headliner, with Covington earning a unanimous decision victory. Yet, the two former friends and teammates have continued the banter on social media in recent weeks.
After news broke of the alleged altercation, Diaz and Paul aimed at Masvidal for the alleged assault on Covington. First, Diaz referenced Masvidal’s self-published video apparently gloating about the attack.
Diaz fell to Masvidal for the self-coined BMF title at UFC 244. He most recently fought against Leon Edwards at UFC 263 and is allegedly eying a matchup with Dustin Poirier this year.
Paul also blasted Masvidal on social media for the alleged attack, just over a year since they worked out together briefly as Paul prepared to face Ben Askren in the boxing ring.
2 facts of the day:
#1 Masvidal is a bitch for ambushing Colby. Couldn’t hurt him in the cage so try to blindside him?
#2 UFC always says it’s increased fighter pay 600% since 2005. Per Huddle Up, UFC revenue is up 1,700% since 05 and PROFITS up by 6,200% 🤯 10x fighter pay!!!
“2 facts of the day: #1 Masvidal is a bitch for ambushing Colby. Couldn’t hurt him in the cage so try to blindside him?” Paul said.
“#2 UFC always says it’s increased fighter pay 600% since 2005. Per Huddle Up, UFC revenue is up 1,700% since 05 and PROFITS up by 6,200%. 10x fighter pay!!!”
Paul called out Masvidal for a boxing match following his most recent win in the ring over Tyron Woodley last December. He’s aiming at a return to boxing later this year.
Diaz and Paul aren’t the only ones to mock Masvidal after the incident. UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman also took to social media and mocked both Masvidal and Covington for the brawl.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
What are your thoughts on the alleged Jorge Masvidal/Colby Covington incident?
Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani thinks that while we’re still a wide distance from the goal line, the ball for a potential Conor McGregor vs. Jake Paul fight is now in play.
Jake Paul has wanted a fight against Conor McGregor seemingly ever since he entered the world of professional boxing two years ago. Whenever speaking of his dream opponents, McGregor’s name has never been far from his lips.
The same can’t be said about the other side, though. Not only has McGregor never expressed interest in fighting Paul, but he’s always ignored him whenever smack talk from the YouTuber was tossed in his direction.
Part of that equation changed recently when McGregor finally responded to Paul after the 5-0 boxer criticized his boxing technique. Though the Irishman didn’t say much—one word to be exact—that word (“jackass”) along with some interpretable thawing on the Dana White front has Ariel Helwani believing that a McGregor/Paul fight could eventually happen.
“I maintain that Dana likes Jake Paul. I maintain that Dana would want to do business with Jake Paul,” Helwani began on his program The MMA Hour. “I maintain that we are closer than ever—this is how the Mayweather thing started—to this fight actually happening. Now does it ultimately happen? No, but I believe it is more of a thing than it was six, eight months ago.
Credit: Complex
“Conor responding to the tweet, Dana talking about it, not closing the door, talking weight and all this stuff—this would be the biggest fight in combat that can be made right now. It would do well over two million buys. And you can just see the interest building. You can see the wheels turning. You can see people starting to warm up to it, the important people. So again, I’m not saying it’s happening; it’s not happening. I’m just saying we continue to inch closer to it happening—inch closer, inch closer, appearance here, a question there, an answer there, an open door here.”
Dana White has always maintained that he has no interest in doing business with Jake Paul. However, to Helwani’s point, White recently only questioned if Paul could make it down to 170 to fight McGregor as opposed to outright shutting the door in the YouTuber’s face per usual.
But what’s most telling to Helwani is the subtle yet noticeable change in behavior from The Notorious One.
“And then to me, the biggest thing was Conor directly responding. Because in the past, he always ignored, interviews—always deflected. A back-to-back MMA/boxing would be just gigantic. Will the UFC be willing to pay Jake Paul what he’s making in boxing? I mean, they could afford it. Do they want to set that precedent? I don’t know…If everyone puts their ego aside, there’s just a gigantic amount of money to be made.
Image Credit: Jake Paul’s Instagram
“Now we do dismiss the size. Jake fights at around 190. Conor just barely makes 170. That’s significant. It’s really significant. But I just feel like we are closer than ever. Now when I say ‘closer than ever,’ do I mean we’re on the goal line? No. We might be on the five-yard line as opposed to being in the end zone just starting off. But I feel like there’s something happening here. That’s all I’ll say. I feel like we are inching, inching, inching, ‘inching—inching’ being the operative word—ever so slowly.”
The last time the fight was proposed by Paul, it was for a UFC fight against McGregor. If Paul won, White would agree to Paul’s list of terms geared towards improving UFC fighter pay and benefits. If McGregor won, Paul would donate his entire fight purse to UFC fighters making less than $50,000 per fight and never speak of the UFC again.
It bears noting that Helwani is merely speculating and not reporting any actual talks for a McGregor/Paul bout taking place. However, if this far-fetched pairing actually does materialize, you’ll most certainly get the scoop right here on MMANews.com.
What do you think are the chances we’ll see Conor McGregor and Jake Paul fight in any capacity?
Jake Paul isn’t a fan of UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman’s chances in the boxing ring should he get an opportunity against Canelo Alvarez.
Paul is coming off of an eventful 2021 for him in the boxing ring in which he earned three-straight wins to remain undefeated. He most recently knocked out former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in their short-notice rematch last December.
Paul has proven to never be afraid to speak his mind, similar to Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz. In a recent interview, Abdelaziz predicted that Usman would make quick work of Alvarez if they were to fight.
Abdelaziz took a shot at Paul and other YouTuber-turned boxers by referring to them as “fake fighters from boxing”. This prompted quite the response from Paul on social media.
Mr. Informant… do us all a favor and shut your peanut head ass mouth. The only thing fake is your boy Usman’s boxing skills. He won the belt from Tyron Woodley by decision. You seen what I did😚 https://t.co/OMts2Pwnv6
“Mr. Informant… do us all a favor and shut your peanut head ass mouth,” Paul told Abdelaziz. “The only thing fake is your boy Usman’s boxing skills. He won the belt from Tyron Woodley by decision. You seen what I did.”
This isn’t the first time that Paul has taken a shot at Usman. In November, he claimed that the UFC’s pound-for-pound king is “past his prime” and wouldn’t be a difficult matchup for him.
Abdelaziz has also had his own history with Paul after predicting that Usman would knock him out inside four rounds. While Usman has improved his striking considerably over his past few fights, he has yet to make a debut in the boxing ring.
While the chances of a Usman vs. Alvarez boxing match remain unclear, this hasn’t stopped some like Paul downplaying the idea that Usman would stand much of a chance in the ring.
Do you agree with Jake Paul’s take on Kamaru Usman’s boxing?
UFC President Dana White is still wondering why Jake Paul is only challenging smaller fighters.
Dana White’s vow to never speak about Jake Paul ever again lasted all of two months. But even that time span is perhaps longer than what most would have anticipated. In 2021, hardly a week went by without some jab thrown by Paul toward White or vice versa.
According to White, however, that all ended after he felt Paul dodged his challenge of getting randomly steroid tested for two years with White agreeing to get cocaine tested for 10 years in return.
During White’s period of silence, Paul has continued to chirp away, including on a Dana White Diss Track and with continuous challenges to fighters on the UFC roster. Only now, Paul claims he isn’t just open to boxing them, but he has begun to lay down challenges for MMA fights.
The two specific names that Paul has challenged for a fight are Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor. In both cases, Paul made proposals directly to White to make the fights happen with high stakes at play, mostly connected to improving fighter pay and benefits.
But even when Paul’s challenges were restricted to the boxing ring, White wondered why Paul was only challenging—and fighting—smaller opponents. And now that Paul has extended his challenges to MMA fights, White is still wondering the same thing.
“Why isn’t he calling out Israel Adesanya? I know. I know, and you know, and everybody else knows, and he knows, too,” White said in an interview with ESPN.
Jake Paul last competed in December in a viral KO win over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. He currently does not have a fight booked but has continued teasing a potential move to MMA.
Once Paul catches wind of these comments from White, perhaps he’ll extend his list of potential opponents for his potential MMA debut to “The Last Stylebender.” And if White’s rhetorical question also functions as a dare, perhaps White will decide to call Paul’s bluff.
Do you think Jake Paul would be willing to fight Israel Adesanya in an MMA fight?
In among his first comments addressing Jake Paul since vowing to never speak of him again, UFC President Dana White has explained why a fight between Conor McGregor and the YouTuber is “probably not” going to happen.
So far in his 5-0 boxing career, Paul has knocked out two former UFC welterweights, one of which held gold on MMA’s biggest stage between 2016 and 2019. But while his MMA foes have, to date, been retired or released following a losing skid, “The Problem Child” has often set his sights on bigger fish.
As opponents have changed, rivalries developed, and his influence in combat sports has grown, one thing has remained a constant in Paul’s career: callouts to “The Notorious” McGregor.
Paul’s interest and mentions of a potential clash are seemingly increasing with every step closer to a return the Irishman makes. The former two-division champion has been out of action since breaking his leg last July.
When asked if he could see a McGregor vs. Paul event in the future, White suggested that while he won’t shut the door on anything, it’s unlikely.
“Probably not (happening), no. I’m never completely closed off to anything. I used to say that about things, but I don’t say that anymore. Cause you never know, you never know what could happen,” said White.
The crossover market has grown exponentially in recent years, with Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, and Frank Mir all representing former UFC stars who have dipped their toes into the boxing ring.
Despite helping start the trend with the 2017 ‘Money Fight’ between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, as well as bringing some notable professional wrestling stars to the Octagon, White says UFC bookings involving internet stars like the Pauls goes against his promotion’s main goal: pitting the best against the best.
“Everything we do kills the bottom. I mean, we have the most successful combat sports business of all time. What we do here is completely different than what him (Logan Paul) and his brother are doing,” claimed White. “I’m looking for the absolute best in the world. These guys who have trained their whole lives, they fight at these smaller shows, and then they make it to the UFC, and we put the best against the best.
CM Punk, Brock Lesnar
“It’s just not what you do. There’s a market for what you guys do and there’s money to be made in it. I’m not saying that I don’t do those types of thing,” White continued. “I brought Brock (Lesnar) in. But Brock won the heavyweight championship. I brought CM Punk in, that one didn’t work out as well as Brock [LAUGHS]. It’s not like I don’t try to do these—the Floyd/Conor fight, you know? The fans wanted to see it; everybody wanted to see it. That’s why it took on a life of its own. Floyd and I got together and figured it out, it made sense, and we did it.”
Even if that level of interest was there for a McGregor vs. Paul bout, White explained why the pair’s size difference would make it an unrealistic matchup.
“Well, he shouldn’t even be fighting Conor McGregor. These guys (Pauls) are fucking huge, he’s (Jake) fucking huge. What’s your brother, 6’1″? 210 (pounds)? Conor McGregor’s 155 pounds… There’s weight classes for a reason.”
Paul Responds To White’s Comments On McGregor Fight
White also went on to suggest that even fighting at welterweight is a stretch for McGregor, something Paul later disputed on Twitter. He called for a fight with the Dublin native at 175 pounds.
Dana White is begging for Diaz and Conor to fight for a third time…they have fought at 170 pounds in both their fights
Interestingly, during his conversation with White, Logan suggested his brother couldn’t make 170 pounds to meet McGregor for a welterweight bout. With that in mind, 175 would perhaps be a stretch for “The Problem Child,” who weighed in for his rematch with Woodley at 191.6 pounds.
How do you think a fight between Conor McGregor and Jake Paul would play out?
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has provided a firm response to former UFC lightweight Din Thomas’ doubts over his desire to improve fighter pay.
Since arriving in the ring in 2020, Paul has certainly made a splash in more ways than one. As well as knocking out former MMA champions Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, and building an unblemished 5-0 record, “The Problem Child” has made an equally big impact outside the ropes.
While some, including heavyweight king Francis Ngannou and middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya, have given the nod of approval, others have suggested Paul is simply using a prominent topic in order to advance his own brand in combat sports.
Joining the latter side at the weekend was former fighter-turned-analyst Din Thomas. Taking to Twitter, the 45-year-old claimed that if Paul really cared about improving remuneration for fighters, he’d be doing more.
“Not sure I understand Jake Paul. If he really cared about fighters why don’t he just continue to throw his own events, pay fighters what he wants, and offer them long term health care.”
Interestingly, Paul has previously put his money where his mouth is. Ahead of his August 2021 clash with Woodley, the Ohio native announced he was spreading money from his own purse across the undercard.
With that in mind, it’s unsurprising that Paul was quick to respond to Thomas’ claim. In a tweet of his own, the former Disney star unloaded on “Dinyero.”
I am doing that dumb fuck
Made the biggest women’s boxing payday happen
Will continue to do more
Your bird brain probably doesn’t understand that the movement is bigger than just me tho
“Will continue to do more Your bird brain probably doesn’t understand that the movement is bigger than just me tho.
“Also what kind of parents name their son ‘Din’.”
While some of Paul’s actions perhaps shows a genuine interest in pushing for improvements, his purchase of UFC stock and offers to the UFC president, which he likely knew would never be entertained, have left many questioning his true goal.
Thomas Isn’t The First To Doubt Paul’s Intentions
While the list of personalities supporting Paul’s focus on fighter pay is long, the tally of those criticizing it is equally so, from rising star Paddy Pimblett to veteran Al Iaquinta.
Ultimately, whether for attention and publicity or a genuine desire to help, it’s hard to argue that Paul has helped fighters financially. As well as promoting Serrano to what will apparently be a seven-figure fight against Katie Taylor, Paul has also helped fighters in need within the cage.
After seeing an MMA News article on the financial struggles of Sarah Alpar, “The Problem Child” donated $5,000 to her GoFundMe. The attention he brings to the topic is also considered valuable by many fighters and pundits.
SMH… Imagine a rookie in the NBA had to start a GoFundMe to play..
I let Sarah @TOOSWEET_Alpar know she has my support and contribution
It’s my honor and privilege to help fellow fighters in anyway I can🙏🏼https://t.co/XvDHOwoN6Q
While doubt still exists, we can expect to learn more about Paul’s true intentions with regards to fighter pay in the coming months and years. But Paul’s current message is simple: “You’ll see.”
Do you agree with Din Thomas? Is Jake Paul’s push for better fighter pay insincere?
Jake Paul has issued a spoof-like response to Conor McGregor calling him a “jackass.”
Jake Paul finally got Conor McGregor to respond to him and he is soaking it all up with sand wrestling, another MMA tease, and playful taunting.
After countless callouts, a mention in a rap diss track, and even a custom-made “Sleepy McGregor” necklace, all it really took for Jake Paul to get Conor McGregor’s attention was to criticize his boxing technique.
After Paul insisted that McGregor’s form in a training video was “embarrassing,” McGregor responded with a lighthearted jab at Paul, dubbing the YouTuber a “jackass.”
Paul acted McGregor FAST after getting the Irishman’s attention. First, he swiftly proposed to Dana White a fight with the former champ-champ in the UFC with very high stakes connected to fighter pay. Hours later, he posted the following spoof-like video in response to McGregor’s “jackass” insult.
“While I’m training MMA, the @TheNotoriousMMA is drinking Jack daniels in Dubai putting up sloppy boxing videos. Jackass,” the tweet reads.
The video includes Paul securing a takedown in the sand, bear crawling on the street, doing clap push-ups in the rain, taking a cool golf swing, and going for a jog on a bridge, with the YouTuber yelling “Jackass” at the end of every clip in a pronunciation that mocks McGregor’s.
MMA News will keep you posted if McGregor responds to Paul again or if the unthinkable happens and Dana White actually takes Paul up on his proposal for a McGregor/Paul UFC showdown.
Were you entertained by Jake Paul’s response to Conor McGregor?
Jake Paul has laid out a proposal for Dana White to book him in a UFC fight against Conor McGregor with game-changing stakes.
Dana White has held true to his word. Just as he vowed two months ago, White has not mentioned Jake Paul in any meaningful way after their latest exchange.
In that exchange, White proposed that Paul randomly drug test him for cocaine over the next 10 years if White could, in turn, randomly drug test Paul for steroids for two years. This proposal was inspired by Paul constantly claiming that White is a cocaine addict.
Paul then responded to White with the following counterproposal:
Happy new year @danawhite. Here is a real challenge for you…
I will immediately retire from boxing and fight Jorge Masvidal in the UFC if you agree to: pic.twitter.com/bJScDVITvL
Paul expressed a willingness to fight Jorge Masvidal in the UFC if White agrees to a list of terms that help improve fighter pay and benefits. After both parties accused one another of dodging the other’s challenge, White decided to wash his hands of Paul and vowed to never speak of him again.
In one of his last comments about Paul, White was surprisingly respectful of the YouTuber, stating that he “doesn’t fault” Paul for the way he makes his money.
“Dana – Since you like me now, how about a 1 fight UFC deal to fight Conor. If I win, you agree to my UFC fighter pay and healthcare proposal. If I lose I donate my entire purse to all UFC fighters who make less than $50K a fight and never mention UFC again.
Deal?”
As usual, the odds of Dana White agreeing to Jake Paul’s terms are slim to none. Then again, moments like these are where the phrase “never say never” becomes very applicable.
Paul has already expressed his confidence that he’d be able to KO the former champ-champ inside the Octagon. If Dana White stuns the world by agreeing to Paul’s terms, the YouTuber turned boxer will have the chance to go in for the finish and send the world into a shock-induced coma if he were to successfully knock out Conor McGregor in a UFC fight.
How interested would you be to watch Jake Paul fight Conor McGregor in a UFC fight?
Conor McGregor fired back at one new target and one from years past after both took aim at the Irishman’s boxing skills.
Conor McGregor has remained active after breaking his leg at UFC 264 against Dustin Poirier. He has spent much of his time bulking up and active resting. And now, he has begun to hit the pads as he inches closer to his targeted summer return.
When footage of McGregor engaging in an outdoor training session was released, the Irishman left himself wide open to criticism from peers and haters alike, or in this case both.
Notorious troll Jake Paul shared his thoughts on McGregor’s handiwork, calling it “embarrassing” and telling McGregor “Your chin (is) wide open with no head movement for the PRBLM CHILD right hand of god.”
This is far from the first time Paul has jabbed McGregor. The former champ-champ was even one of Paul’s targets in his Dana White Diss Track.
Additionally, Paul has been angling for a fight with McGregor for roughly a year now, roasting him at every turn. In fact, the YouTuber even went so far as to create a “Sleepy McGregor chain,” which depicted McGregor’s posture on the mat immediately after getting TKOd by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.
But through all the jokes and challenges, McGregor has never issued a direct response to Paul. That is until Friday.
After Paul’s critique of McGregor’s boxing technique, “The Notorious” posted the following video on his Twitter page:
After shadowboxing in bed for a few seconds, McGregor would shout, “Jackass!” before belting out a hearty laugh.
McGregor & Malignaggi Back At It Again
Soon after McGregor’s exchange with Paul, a name from McGregor’s past, Paulie Malignaggi, also weighed in on McGregor’s training video. Unsurprisingly, the “Magic Man” was not complimentary.
“I left you like a little seesaw,” McGregor said with an image from their infamous sparring session prior to the MayMac event.
Malignaggi has always argued that him hitting the canvas during this session was actually a result of a push and that he wasn’t actually dropped by a McGregor punch. He also repeatedly called on McGregor to release the full sparring footage instead of cherry-picked clips.
Though Malignaggi and McGregor never had the opportunity to compete in a full boxing match, Malignaggi did have the opportunity to fight McGregor’s close friend Artem Lobov in a bare-knuckle boxing match in 2019.
YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul says he could beat UFC superstar Conor McGregor in a ring or in a cage.
Paul has been on McGregor’s case for several months, as he continues to tease a potential boxing match with McGregor down the line. Paul is coming off of three-straight wins in 2021 over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and former UFC fighter Ben Askren.
McGregor was a target of Paul in a recent diss track that featured jabs at UFC President Dana White, Nate Diaz, and others. But not all of Paul’s comments towards McGregor have been adversarial, as he recently claimed that McGregor is the most underpaid fighter in history.
In a recent tweet, Paul took his confidence to a different level when hinting at a potential fight with McGregor.
“I would KO Conor in boxing or MMA,” Paul said. “Right hand of God.”
Paul showed off his right hand in a gruesome knockout of Woodley last December. After five back-and-forth rounds, Paul landed a powerful right hook that sent Woodley to sleep.
McGregor has hinted at a potential return to boxing down the line, most recently when he was allegedly in negotiations to fight Manny Pacquiao last year. However, he’s anticipating a return to MMA first, with a timetable set for this summer at the earliest.
Though unlikely, Paul vs. McGregor boxing match could theoretically happen down the line, and Paul is confident he can put on another impressive performance against arguably one of the fight game’s best strikers.
What do you make of Jake Paul’s roast of Conor McGregor?
Jake Paul’s next fight will see the social media influencer look to continue his undefeated streak in boxing.
It’s unclear who The Problem Child’s next opponent will be. However, we can look at possible fighters who the Youtuber could compete against next.
Paul Knocked Out Woodley In Their Rematch
(AP Photo)
The combat sports community was stunned when Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley at the Amelie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 18, 2021.
Paul defeated Woodley in their first fight by split decision on Aug. 29, 2021, at the Rocket Morgage Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. In the contest, the Youtube star outpaced the former UFC Welterweight Champion to improve his record to 4-0. Woodley admitted after the fight that he fought the undefeated boxer too patiently.
Tyron Woodley also expressed that he wanted a rematch against Paul despite the loss. However, Paul responded that Woodley needed an “I love Jake Paul” tattoo to get the second fight. Paul decided to fight Tommy Fury next despite the former UFC champion getting the tattoo.
After his win against Woodley, Paul announced he’d be taking time off from fighting. He had fought three times in 2021, with two wins over Woodley and a TKO victory against Ben Askren at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Apr. 17, 2021.
Paul wanted to focus on being a promoter with his brand Most Valuable Promotion and work with WBC and WBO Female Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano. The boxer turned promoter helped set up an undisputed lightweight title fight between Serrano and Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden on Apr. 30.
Although he’s taken time off from fighting, he plans to have another boxing or possibly an MMA fight.
(Complex)
Possible Opponents for Jake Paul’s Next Fight
Jake Paul does not have his next opponent lined up yet.
However, there are a few interesting candidates under consideration for Jake Paul’s next fight.
The former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva could be Paul’s next challenger. Since leaving the UFC, Silva has transitioned into boxing with success. He has a 3-1 boxing record. His most notable win is against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by split decision on Jun. 21, 2021.
Paul has expressed interest in fighting Silva in an interview with Ariel Helwani. Unlike his past opponents, Silva has more boxing experience and is regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. Despite his age, Silva also has the endurance and technique to give Paul problems.
“I thought Tyron [Woodley] was going to. The first bout was obviously really competitive,” Askren told MMA Island. “Anderson Silva looked great in his one boxing match he did. It was against a guy who had a significant amount of boxing experience, so I would say yeah, I would think so. If Anderson can’t do it, then shit, Jake Paul is pretty damn good,” said Askren.
A potential win against the former UFC Middleweight Champion would be the biggest accomplishment of Paul’s boxing career.
Tommy Fury
(Mike Ehrmann/Jason Miller/Getty Images)
After pulling out of their first fight, Tommy Fury could be Paul’s next opponent. It would also be Jake Paul’s chance to prove to doubters that he could beat a boxer. Fury is also undefeated with seven wins.
Both Fury and Paul haven’t held back about how they don’t like each other. When Fury had to drop out of their fight, Paul shamed him and felt he would’ve knocked him out. Now healthy, Tommy Fury shared in an interview with Ariel Helwani that he wanted to silence Paul and the ball was in his court.
“…I’m trying my best to get this fight back on track,” said Fury. He continued, “You talk to anybody, this is the fight I want. I’ll wait for him an amount of time, it comes off, great, if it doesn’t, I will resume my career and start winning some titles. That’s just the way life is.”
While the situation could change, Paul thinks Fury should fight Woodley to fight him. It’s unclear how long Paul will be out of competition, so Fury may fight Woodley to get revenge against his rival.
(Dave Kotinsky/Warren Little/Getty Images)
Could Jake Paul Compete In MMA Next?
Paul has expressed interest in having an MMA fight numerous times. While some fans didn’t take the boxing star seriously, Bellator President Scott Coker has shared that they are in talks.
“If Paul is serious and wants to do it, we’re here. We’re already talking about [it]. You know, when I say talking about it, he’s with Showtime boxing, and he did the fight with T-Wood [Tyron Woodley]. There’s dialogue. I think he wants to do ten boxing fights and then come over to MMA,” Coker revealed(h/t Talksport’s Alex McCarthy)
It’s unclear if Paul wants to pursue MMA for his next fight, but it’s something that could be possible in the future.
When Is Jake Paul’s Next Fight?
After promoting Serrano vs. Taylor on Apr. 30, Paul could begin looking for his next fight. He also seems healthy with inactivity from boxing, but he could need time to train before agreeing on his next fight. It’s possible the 5-0 boxer could fight sometime this summer.
Conclusion
Paul is looking to remain unbeaten in boxing, hoping to fight Canelo Alvarez in the future. However, who will be his next opponent is up in the air. Both boxers and MMA fighters want to challenge Paul, but he ultimately decides who gets the opportunity.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has pitched a fight between two of his own desired opponents, UFC superstars Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal.
While both McGregor and Masvidal’s statuses as two of the top names in mixed martial arts remain intact, their form inside the Octagon has been far from desirable.
For the Irishman, back-to-back defeats to Dustin Poirier have left him 1-3 across his last four appearances. The former two-division titleholder has been out of action since breaking his leg at UFC 264 last July.
Masvidal, meanwhile, has followed up his incredible 2019 by losing three straight, two of which came to reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. Most recently, “Gamebred” fell to a three-fight skid after falling short in his grudge match with Colby Covington at UFC 272 this past weekend.
Pausing his own search for a next opponent and hopes to fight the pair, Paul, who’s gone 5-0 in boxing since venturing to the ring as a professional in 2020, donned his UFC matchmaking hat.
In a post on Twitter, “The Problem Child,” who has frequently taken shots at both men, most recently in his Dana White diss track, suggested that a meeting between Masvidal and McGregor is the fight to make.
We already know Conor can’t finish Diaz
Right fight to make is Masvidoll vs Macgregor. 50/50 fight, ends in KO. Both can throw and both have weak chins
“We already know Conor can’t finish Diaz. Right fight to make is Masvidoll vs macgregor. 50/50 fight, ends in KO. Both can throw and both have weak chins”
Masvidal vs. McGregor Has Been On The Radar Before
McGregor and Masvidal have long engaged in a rivalry over social media and in interviews. After “Gamebred” rose to stardom in 2019, it appeared the pair were perhaps gearing up to share the Octagon together.
Remember when the ufc called us and asked us to drop to 155 then Conor went on to fight cowboy at 170? 😂😂😂 too small for you but just right for cowboy? 🤔 https://t.co/J2MYAyreoz
Masvidal finds himself in a tricky position following UFC 272. Given his stardom, he’s certainly grown into a position whereby the promotion will target for him to continue being a part of pay-per-view main events. For him to do that, there are few available names beyond McGregor and Nate Diaz.
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker has confirmed that his promotion is in talks with rising boxing sensation Jake Paul.
Paul, who made his name as a widely-followed YouTuber and Disney star, ventured into combat sports in 2020. After victories in the ring over fellow Internet personality AnEsonGib and former NBA athlete Nate Robinson, Paul’s competition increased to MMA veterans in 2021.
Having moved to 5-0 and begun to receive more respect for both his in-ring abilities and apparent pursuit for improved fighter pay outside it, Paul’s prominence on the combat sports circuit continues to rise.
While his next steps and opponent in the squared circle are unclear, Paul has seemed increasingly keen on trying his hand at MMA in the future, a desire that’s followed constant back and forth with UFC President Dana White.
That hat feud means an appearance in the Octagon is hard to envision. However, another promotional kingpin would be happy to welcome the Cleveland native in with open arms.
Coker Tells Paul “We’re Here”
While White has always refused to entertain the idea of getting the likes of Jake and Logan Paul onboard in the UFC, Bellator’s Coker has consistently displayed the opposite mindset.
“If Jake Paul is serious and wants to do it, we’re here. We’re already talking about (it). You know, when I say talking about it, he’s with Showtime boxing and he did the fight with T-Wood (Tyron Woodley). There’s dialogue… I think he wants to do 10 boxing fights and then come over to MMA,” Coker revealed. (h/t talkSPORT)
. @danawhite when I make my MMA debut, I could cut 20 pounds & do it at Welterweight / 170 pounds. That’s what all UFC fighters do and many have destroyed their bodies & minds doing it.
But I’m gonna do it at Middleweight (185). Health first.
With Coker referencing Paul’s boxing matches with Woodley, it is possible that Bellator is in talks with Paul about boxing a Bellator contracted-fighter as opposed to Paul making the move over to MMA, which would truly be a game-changer for the promotion.
Given Paul’s exchanges with Dana White, which even included a recent diss track, it would certainly not be surprising to see “The Problem Child” look to deal some damage to the 52-year-old’s promotion by joining one of its largest rivals.
Would you like to see Jake Paul take Scott Coker up on his offer and enter the Bellator cage?
As of now, Jorge Masvidal has no plans to get in the ring with undefeated Youtube Star turned boxer, Jake Paul.
On March 5, MMA fans get to see what could be the grudge match of the year. Masvidal will take on rival and former American Top Team training partner Colby Covington.
The main event is hyped by pre-fight tension. And when Masvidal fights, there has to be a big check involved. And according to Masvidal, Paul does not have the lucrative pull to book a fight with him.
The #6 welterweight has fought many big names and made a lot of money in his 50-fight career. Unless the payout is massive, Masvidal considers a fight with Paul a waste of his time.
“I’ll fight him right now, you know, on my way to the gym. But I prepared my whole life to fight the best of the best. He’s not the best of the best… I’m not doing charity. You’re selling 70,000 PPVs, there’s nothing to talk about. He had a street team handing out free tickets at the event for people to go to the event…” said Masvidal in his interview with Audacy.
Both times, Masvidal predicted Woodley would defeat Paul. After beating him a second time, the Paul brother called out ” Gamebred” and his former opponent Nate Diaz.
Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley, Photo Credit: Chris O’Meara/Associated Press
Even then, Masvidal’s main argument for the rejection was that Paul simply cannot afford him. That being said, once Paul’s numbers go up, Masvidal claims he will gladly take on the Ohio-born boxer.
Jake has done a lot in the past months with remaining undefeated and promoting one of the most anticipated women’s boxing matches ever between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor. Perhaps a more lucrative future is ahead and he will one day gain Masvidal’s attention to settle their conflict in the ring.
What are your thoughts on Jorge Masvidal not wanting to fight Jake Paul?
Israel Adesanya is fresh off his latest title defense when he defeated Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 271. Right before that fight, Adesanya closed a massive deal with the UFC. He signed a new deal with an undisclosed amount of money involved, but according to his management made him one of the highest-paid fighters on the roster.
“I think Jake Paul was the right guy to [challenge Dana White] at the time,” Adesanya told talkSPORT (via Daily Mail). “He was one of the guys to get this conversation going that Francis [Ngannou] jumped in. You have me even now speaking about it. I’m talking about the guy who is having the second fight in the UFC, I think they should be paid well enough that they can have a 12-week training camp without having a second or third job.”
Paul has been vocal about wanting to help UFC fighters raise their paychecks. He has gone back-and-forth publicity with Dana White regarding the urge to pay the fighters more money. Paul has just a handful of boxing fights on his résumé but is making a lucrative living. Not only is he living well through fighting, but he says he wants to help others do the same.
Paul has taken it upon himself to buy some stock in UFC’s parent company Endeavor in hopes of having a say in the decision-making process regarding fighter pay. Although he has not made an impact formally just yet, Adesanya thinks that Paul bringing the subject too light is helping. Adesanya explained that he had a chance to speak with Paul personally and believes that he is sincere in his campaign to help other fighters.
“I ended up at his house after the fight and we went deep into some conversations and talking to him, you realize ‘man, this guy is really serious. Like, he’s not just doing this for [clout, etc],” Adesanya said. “Because if you don’t know him, you just kind of fall into that ‘Ah, this snobby little kid we think he’s just doing this for attention, for likes or clout, but you talk to him and it’s like ‘Yo, he’s really serious.’”
It is not only the new UFC fighters or the prelim fighters that are having issues regarding money. The top fighters are also looking for higher wages. UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou has been vocal about wanting more money and freedom from the UFC. Now, perhaps with Adesanya being paid more, the door will be open for other fighters as well.
Do you agree with Israel Adesanya? Is Jake Paul’s outspokenness on fighter pay is helping?
UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou believes that Jake Paul’s promotion of better fighter pay is legitimate and not an act.
Ngannou is fresh off his win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in his first title defense as a UFC champion. But he is expected to miss a significant amount of time due to a lingering knee injury he suffered in his training leading up to the fight.
Ngannou has continued to push for the UFC to change its current pay scale model amidst tense contract negotiations. It remains unclear whether or not Ngannou and the UFC brass will end up coming to terms on a new deal.
One of most vocal presences in the fighter pay conversation has been Paul, who has gone at it with UFC President Dana White regarding how the promotion treats its roster. The controversial YouTuber turned boxer has previously offered to sign a one-fight deal with the UFC if the brass promises to add benefits such as long-term healthcare.
During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ngannou addressed Paul’s comments in support of giving UFC fighters more incentives away from the cage.
“I follow all those stuff and I am aware of what’s happening,” Ngannou said. “You know Paul has his own way of communicating, which is a little bit different. Maybe not the same way as I will. But in the meantime, I can’t blame him. I’m 100 percent with him for what he says.
“When he claimed for fighter healthcare, I am 100 percent down with that. He claimed for fighter pay increase, I’m a 1000 percent down for that. So the fighters are not protected, they are all out there on their own and nobody look up to them… They are putting their body on the line for something. At least [give them] healthcare.” (h/t SportsKeeda)
One of Ngannou’s biggest gripes with the promotion has been the lack of freedom fighters like him have when it comes to pursuing other avenues. This includes boxing, where Ngannou has gone back-and-forth on social media with heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Ngannou admitted during a recent interview that Paul’s management reached out to him to inquire about his interest in boxing. The UFC then allegedly threatened legal action against his manager for being in contact with Paul’s team.
But not all UFC fighters agree with Ngannou. Some veterans such as Sam Alvey have called Paul’s interest in UFC fighter pay “fake” and an effort to promote himself.
It’s unclear if and when Ngannou will return to the Octagon, but in the meantime, he’ll continue to voice his displeasure in how fighters are compensated for their efforts in the cage.
What are your thoughts on Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul’s calls for better UFC fighter pay and treatment?
UFC veteran Sam Alvey isn’t buying what Jake Paul is selling when it comes to the controversial issue of fighter pay.
Paul has been a vocal critic of UFC President Dana White regarding how fighters on the roster are treated. He has also offered to sign a one-fight deal to fight in the UFC if certain demands are met by White and the promotion, which includes providing health insurance for athletes.
Paul is coming off an eventful 2021 in which he continued his undefeated streak in boxing. He earned back-to-back wins over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and also knocked out former Bellator champion Ben Askren.
In addition to his actions inside the ring, Paul has taken it to the UFC outside of it. He has also accused White of using cocaine with the two sides claiming that the other has dodged challenges.
“Jake Paul is a clown and he is not trying to help fighter pay, he is trying to help himself,” Alvey said. “Every fight sells when you either want to see somebody win or see somebody get knocked out. Jake Paul has figured out that everyone wants to see him get knocked out so he wants to try and switch that narrative… and so he goes after the low-hanging fruit that sounds great to everyone, ‘pay fighters more’… If UFC, Dana White, any of those guys were to do what Jake Paul is asking, he wouldn’t get us paid more, he would eliminate the roster of the UFC. We would go from a roster of what 800 to down to 75.” (h/t SportsKeeda)
Paul has called out UFC fighters Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, and Jorge Masvidal for fights in the ring. However, all three are still under contract with the UFC and will likely not be allowed to fight Paul anytime soon.
Paul continues to put the heat on White and the UFC brass to enact change in how fighters are compensated. But some fighters such as Alvey don’t believe Paul is someone to be taken seriously.
Paddy Pimblett doesn’t think Jake Paul is sincere about wanting to change fighter pay.
Recently, fighters like Anthony Smith have come out and said they believe Paul truly wants fighters to make more. However, Pimblett along with Al Iaquinta doesn’t think that is true, as he thinks the YouTuber-turned-boxer is only doing it for clout.
“I’ll be honest, that’s the thing that pi**ed me off. He’s going on, he’s trying to act like a martyr, like he’s helping MMA fighters,” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel (via Sportskeeda). “He’s not, lad. He’s just doing that for his won publicity… That’s why the only thing that’s pi**ing me off about it, people are like, ‘Aah, he’s actually being good for MMA fighters.’ He’s not. He just wants to make a show of Dana White and that’s the perfect way of doing it.”
Complex
Jake Paul has taken shots at Dana White throughout his time in combat sports, which has even gotten a response from the UFC boss. He also said he would retire from boxing if White made the minimum pay $50k, which has not happened. But for Paddy Pimblett, he believes Paul is only doing this for his own benefit.
Meanwhile, Paul has also said things that seem hard to believe, like him taking an MMA fight. Pimblett says there’s no shot that happens.
“The way he’s saying, ‘I’m gonna end up getting in the cage.’ You’re not, lad,” Pimblett added. “You’re not, stop lying. If you wanna have an MMA fight, I’ll fight you in my ma’s garden tomorrow. You know what I mean?”
Whether or not Jake Paul is actually serious is still unknown. The YouTuber along with some MMA fighters says he is while Pimblett, among countless others, doesn’t think he cares at all.
As for Pimblett, he will return to the Octagon at UFC London on March 19 against Kazula Vargas.
Doyou agree with Paddy Pimblett over his comments about Jake Paul?
Jake Paul thinks he has what it takes to eventually silence the doubters and become a boxing world champion someday.
Paul is coming off of an eventful 2021 in which he won three bouts in the ring. He started the year by knocking out former UFC welterweight Ben Askren followed by back-to-back wins over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley.
Paul was originally supposed to face Tommy Fury at the end of 2021 before Fury pulled out with an injury. Woodley stepped up to fight on short notice and Paul knocked him out in Round 6.
“I think boxers are easier to fight than MMA fighters,” Paul said. “They’re more predictable, and they don’t hit as hard, and they can’t take as big of a punch.”
Paul is anticipating a return to boxing later this year and has already called out top UFC stars for a boxing match, including Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal. Both fighters are still under contract with the UFC, so it’s highly unlikely that they’ll be able to fight him anytime soon.
One of the biggest criticisms of Paul’s fast rise in boxing has been his level of competition in the ring. While he’s put on impressive performances against elite athletes, he arguably has yet to put his true boxing skills to the test against a legitimate boxer.
