Jake Paul may have bitten off more than he can chew with his latest UFC fighter callout.
After pummeling Mike Perry back in July, “The Problem Child” tried to strike back at naysayers who (accurately) accuse him of fighting smaller men all the time. In response, he called out Alex Pereira, the two-division UFC champion who is currently running roughshod over the Light Heavyweight ranks. “Poatan” is not only a credentialed knockout artist, but he’s one of the rare athletes that seems impossibly big no matter his weight class. Unlike other past Paul opponents, Pereira is still in his prime as well.
There’s a reason why he’s a title threat in three divisions.
Obviously, UFC isn’t likely to let their active champion wander into the boxing ring against Jake Paul, particularly since Paul and UFC CEO Dana White do not get along very well. All the same, on a recent episode of the BS w/ Jake Paul podcast, former UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou strongly advised Paul against seeking the match up further. “The Predator” was very complimentary towards Pereira and told Paul to his face that the fight wouldn’t end well for him.
“He’s tough, dude, he has some tough hands,” Ngannou said of Pereira (via Sports Keeda). “I think you’re going to get some tough nights. I mean, he is a big size guy … This guy is big, solid, and he’s mean. He walks straight to you like, ‘I’m going to eat this guy.’”
Before Paul can try to line up a showdown vs. Pereira, he has to get through boxing legend Mike Tyson on November 15 from the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a high-profile bout that’s set to air live and free on Netflix. Many are concerned about the health and safety of the 58-year-old former champion, who suffered a medical emergency back in May, but Ngannou isn’t worried.
On the same podcast, Ngannou predicted that Tyson is knocking out Paul!
As for “The Predator,” he’s crossing back into the cage after two losses two elite boxers in the ring. He’s scheduled to face Renan Ferreira on October 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in what will be his Professional Fighter’s League (PFL) debut.