Midnight Mania: Don’t Trust Your Eyes, Trust Jake Paul

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Over the weekend, Jake Paul viciously battered Mike Perry en route to a sixth-round knockout victory, improving his professional record to 10-1. The boxer certainly looked sharper than in previous performances, but by far the biggest narrative after the fact was that size difference between the two combatants.

Paul was training to fight a Heavyweight, Mike Tyson. Perry, meanwhile, spent his MMA career fighting at 170 lbs. The two met in the middle at Cruiserweight, or 200 lbs., but it was plenty apparent that Paul was the larger man. “The Problem Child” cut to make the limit, whereas Perry tipped the scales with room to spare at a 196.5 pounds.

Who knows how much Paul rehydrated after weigh-ins? He certainly looked a couple weight classes bigger than “Platinum” on fight night, and his punches sent the durable bare knuckle king flying around the ring. Many, including myself, took issue with the size discrepancy, but Paul claims there was a mere 10 pounds between them.

“People say everything about the weight difference,” Paul explained on his podcast (via SportsKeeda). 40-pound or whatever. I was 210 pounds in the ring [on the night of the fight]. So that’s a 10-pound difference. That’s common in boxing.”

After the win, Paul called out UFC Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. “Poatan” is infamously large, a former Middleweight who somehow makes Heavyweights look small. Paul sees the match up as an opportunity to answer “weight bully” claims, though it remains to be seen if UFC will actually allow its champion to cross into the ring against the YouTube star.

He continued, “Alex Pereira rehydrates to 240 pounds [in his UFC fights]. So I want someone, who, when I f—k them up like I did tonight, there is no excuses. Alex Pereira, 6’4”, 240 pounds, kickboxing world champion, two-division champion in the UFC, what the f—k can they say? You keep writing me off. That’s what you guys have done.”

Insomnia

Maybe Leon Edwards is underrated in terms of being one of the most athletic guys on the roster, this clip is nuts!

Wild scrambles are my favorite part of MMA.

A show of respect between Paul and Perry — I predict they do a podcast together within the next three months.

Do not kick Manny Pacquiao!

Combined with a move to Middleweight, I think a full camp at a more established gym would do wonders for Jiri Prochazka.

Cody Durden getting cleaned up after his scrap at UFC Vegas 94.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Adam Brysz pulled a Dan Ige, but he managed to make the third-round rally happen in spectacular fashion!

Tenshin Nasukawa is a remarkable talent wherever he seeks competition.

Mica Galvao attacked this deep armbar simply because his opponent dared to use an underhook against him.

Random Land

Perspectives.

Midnight Music: Instrumental hip hop, 1996

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.