LEON EDWARDS predicted Ben Askren is ‘going to get chinned’ against Jake Paul – with the result ‘bad for MMA’.
YouTuber Paul faces the retired ex-UFC welterweight on April 17, and heads into the pay-per-view headliner as a betting favourite.
Jake Paul fights ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren on April 17
Ben Askren is coming out of retirement to fight Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And according to current 170lb contender Edwards, the social media sensation does so for a reason.
Paul has been backed to KO Askren, leaving a humorous stain on MMA in doing so.
Edwards, 29, told talkSPORT: “He’s going to get knocked out, I’m serious.
“It’s going to be bad for MMA, man! I don’t know who agreed to this. I don’t think it’s going to be good for MMA and he’s going to get chinned.
“But, it’s going to be funny to see.”
Askren, 36, comes into the fight having won titles with Bellator and ONE Championship before signing for the UFC in 2019.
But after three bouts, and two losses, he hung up his gloves and underwent hip surgery last year.
Paul, 24, turned pro in 2020, boxing only once before in an exhibition bout in 2018.
Leon Edwards has tipped Jake Paul to knockout Ben AskrenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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But he already has two knockouts in as many fights, although he only beat online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 36.
Despite Askren’s lifetime of experience in MMA, his lack of proven striking skills leaves him the underdog.
But it has not affected his confidence in any way, as he predicted Paul will be beaten into an ugly submission.
Askren said on Twitter: “I feel great, just tremendous. Boxing stuff is really starting to come together.
“I can’t promise you it’s going to be the prettiest thing you ever saw – although my face is pretty – my combat skills are not, they are unique, they are different.
“But here’s what I can tell you; you will witness the humiliation of Jake Paul. You will witness one man breaking another man’s will.
“And that man Jake Paul, will give up and be humiliated in front of millions of people, live on Triller on April 17th.”
Ben Askren trains for fight against Jake Paul as ex-UFC star punches heavy bag with YouTuber’s face on it
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
