UFC Hall-of-Famer Michael Bisping was apparently offered a handsome purse to fight YouTuber Jake Paul.
As YouTuber Logan Paul prepares for his exhibition boxing match with Floyd Mayweather this weekend, his younger brother Jake decided to break some big news. Fresh off his win over Ben Askren in April, Jake has now signed on to fight former UFC welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley.
But apparently, “The Chosen One” wasn’t the first choice. In a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, UFC Hall-of-Famer Michael Bisping said he was initially offered half a million dollars to face the younger Paul brother in a boxing match.
I’m happy for him. I don’t know what he’s gonna get paid, but I’ll tell you right now, I was offered $500,000 to fight Jake Paul. So I would assume it’s probably more, because if the fight’s happening… So good for him. He might go out there and he might be getting $1 million. And I couldn’t be happier for Tyron, because he really deserves it.
Paul’s representative Nakisa Bidarian later confirmed with MMA Fighting that an offer was indeed put forward.
I have nothing but respect and admiration for him and have always had a good relationship with him and his team. Jake was absolutely interested in fighting Michael Bisping and an offer was made by us. Unfortunately, we could not come to terms that made sense for the event at that time.
Paul and Woodley are scheduled to fight on August 28 under Showtime, and the gamesmanship has already begun. Opening odds have Woodley as the +120 betting underdog against Paul, who is currently the -150 favorite.