Jake Paul is officially double-booked.
Despite the pushback from the July 20, 2024, fight date in Arlington, Texas, “The Problem Child” will still box Mike Tyson. It just won’t be until November 15, 2024, providing Paul with time to keep busy against Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) star, Mike Perry, on the original date.
For Perry, the match will be his first with gloves since he was a part of Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) Welterweight roster in April 2021. “Platinum” has been flawless in the BKFC ring in five fights post-UFC, and now, he anticipates showing Paul his toughest test to date.
“I know Mike Tyson says everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face but I like getting punched in my face,” Perry said on The MMA Hour alongside Paul. “So my plan is coming together nicely.”
“That’s because you’re a f—king idiot,” Paul responded. “What makes me good at fighting is I don’t like getting punched in the face and I practice not to. That’s what I’m going to teach you in the sport of boxing, you little b—ch.
“This is not bare-knuckle,” he continued. “Not a bunch of old MMA fighters just running around punching each other bare-knuckle like some f—king hooligans. I’ll show you a real sport.”
Paul, 27, has gotten back on a winning streak after he suffered his first career defeat to Tommy Fury in February 2023 (watch highlights). The Cleveland, Ohio native has won his last three, starting with Nate Diaz via unanimous decision in August 2023 (watch highlights). After that, he added two first round knockouts to his highlight reel against Andre August (watch highlights) and Ryan Bourland (watch highlights), providing him all the confidence he needs for this first of two upcoming matches.
“I’m on a tear,” Paul said. “I’m not slowing down for anybody. If people want to delay fights, I’ve got to get my experience in the ring. I love fighting. I love going under the bright lights and I love putting on shows for the fans and I will become champion but to do that, I need experience. Mike Tyson is an absolute killer and I do want to face another absolute killer.
“Don’t get it wrong, I think Mike Perry’s funny and stuff, it’s entertaining but he is a savage and I do respect him as a fighter … hopefully, Mike Perry can last and give me a good eight rounds but we’ll see what happens,” he concluded. “I don’t think he has what it takes to last that long.”
However, Perry hasn’t at all been impressed by his next opponent. In his own right, he’s found the most success in his entire career, defeating the likes of two former UFC champions, Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez, while also getting by veterans, Michael “Venom” Page and Thiago Alves.
“You’ve been fighting these cab drivers and these f—king fat pieces of s—t,” Perry said. “You think that you’re going to do anything to a real f—king man like me, you lost your mind. If you punch me in my face, I will smile and hit you back multiple times.
“He’s tricked the world into thinking he’s fantastic,” he concluded. “I’ve been doing this s—t a long time and I took the hard long road. I’m looking to show everybody what a real fighter is.”