JAKE PAUL revealed he would debut at middleweight in MMA and slammed UFC stars for destroying ‘their bodies and minds’ cutting weight.
The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter has teased a switch to the cage having gone 5-0 as a boxer.
And in a social media post to UFC president Dana White, Paul claimed he would only drop 5lb to fight at the 185lb middleweight limit in MMA.
He also highlighted Conor McGregor’s featherweight days as an example of drastic weight cutting in the sport.
Paul tweeted White: “When I make my MMA debut, I could cut 20 pounds & do it at Welterweight / 170 pounds.
“That’s what all UFC fighters do and many have destroyed their bodies & minds doing it.
“But I’m gonna do it at Middleweight (185). Health first. PS Conor walking around at 190.”
Paul, 24, most recently knocked out former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 39, in their December rematch.
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Woodley, 39, who had lost on points four months earlier, only filled in on short notice after Tommy Fury, 22, pulled out with a broken rib.
Paul has now KO’d all of his opponents, also beating online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
But despite not yet fighting an opponent with prior professional boxing experience, Paul already has his eye on move to MMA.
And even though he has feuded with UFC boss White lately, the promoter refused to rule out one day signing him.
White said on the Nelk Boys’ podcast: “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t think that would ever happen, but listen – I never say never anymore.
“You know, I didn’t think Floyd and Conor, or that I would end up doing any of my guys against Floyd. Because that just makes absolutely no sense.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk