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Jake Paul promises to ‘starch’ UFC champ Kamaru Usman after Dana White ‘pulls his head from his arse’

YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul has called out Dana White - saying it’s time for the UFC boss to ‘pull his head out of his arse’.

Jake Paul interview

Jake Paul says UFC president Dana White will have no choice but to collaborate on a boxing blockbuster in 2022, starting with his “starching” of welterweight king Kamaru Usman.

Among the 10 most Googled athletes on planet earth this past year, 24-year-old Paul is set to face former UFC champ Tyron Woodley for a second time in Florida on Sunday December 19.

While the Youtuber-turned-boxer has offered Woodley a $500,000 bonus if he wins via KO, the Cleveland native insists it will be his own knockout performance that springboards him toward a hit list of UFC superstars including Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, even UFC welterweight champ Usman.

Paul even went so far as to say he would “starch” Usman, the UFC No.1 pound for pound, while also declaring Irish megastar McGregor was the company’s best boxer.

While Diaz only has one fight left on his UFC contract, any boxing fight with the other two would require collaboration with White, who has shot down the idea several times.

So as for what it will take to sway the UFC boss?

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Jake Paul says UFC president Dana White will have no choice but to collaborate on a boxing blockbuster in 2022: Picture: Getty Images.
Jake Paul says UFC president Dana White will have no choice but to collaborate on a boxing blockbuster in 2022: Picture: Getty Images.

“It will take for him to pull his head out of his arse and realise there’s a ton of money to be made,” Paul said.

“Realise that the UFC doesn’t have as much hype as it once did and that Conor is really the only person (drawing) big pay per view numbers.

“If I went up against Conor, Kamaru Usman, whoever it was — whoever they want to give me I’ll fight — it would make such great headlines; the business is undeniable.

“And I think at some point Dana will no longer be able to deny it.”

So it will happen?

“I think so,” Paul added. “I think it will.”

In his first outing against Woodley in August, Paul defeated the 39-year-old via split decision.

Yet the undefeated celebrity insists a knockout win on Sunday will ensure White is unable to resist the dollars associated with a superfight against either McGregor or Usman, who beat Woodley for the gold strap in 2019 and has since defended five times.

Paul claims the UFC doesn’t have the same impact it once did.
Paul claims the UFC doesn’t have the same impact it once did.

Asked how he would fare against the Nigerian Nightmare, who is undefeated in 15 UFC appearances and keen to try his hand at boxing, Paul said: “I’d starch him.

“And it seems crazy, right?

“The little blond kid in the interview saying that he’s going to beat Kamaru Usman, (laughing) he’s got big muscles.

“But Kamaru Usman isn’t a five-time UFC champion like Tyron (sic).

“And I know Tyron isn’t in the prime of his career and you can make arguments blah, blah, blah. But Kamaru Usman went 25 minutes against Tyron.

“I went the full distance with Tyron as well.

“But now I’m coming back to knock Tyron out.

“And once I show people I can knock him out, it’s like hey, Kamaru Usman couldn’t do this, Colby Covington couldn’t do this … I’m better than all you guys, especially at boxing.”

Elsewhere, Paul talked up Australia‘s new lightweight champ George Kambosos Jnr, strenuously denied suggestions he demanded ’no knockout’ clauses in his contracts, and agreed with McGregor’s recent assessment that the Irishman remains the best boxer on the UFC roster.

Jake Paul’s hit list of UFC superstars including Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, even UFC welterweight champ Usman. Picture: Getty Images.
Jake Paul’s hit list of UFC superstars including Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, even UFC welterweight champ Usman. Picture: Getty Images.

Paul pointed to McGregor’s 2017 performance against Floyd Mayweather as proof of his claim.

“I think he’s right, 100 per cent,” Paul said.

“There really is no denying that.

“No other fighter in the UFC has even had a boxing match at that level. And the preparations he had to make for Floyd made him such a better boxer.

“But a lot of the MMA guys, their boxing is different.

“It’s an unorthodox style.

“So when they come into real boxing, it’s completely different. Just as if a real boxer went into MMA they would get their arse beat.

“So there has to be a mutual respect there.”

# Paul v Woodley II will be shown live this Sunday December 19 on Main Event, Kayo and FITE TV.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ufc/jake-paul-promises-to-starch-ufc-champ-kamaru-usman-after-dana-white-pulls-his-head-from-his-arse/news-story/4f75d989f3ad8226770973a3e44300a3