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    Jake Paul urged by Eddie Hearn to face Conor McGregor NEXT – but promoter fears Dana White feud may stop ‘massive fight’

    EDDIE HEARN urged Jake Paul to face Conor McGregot next – but fears the feud with Dana White could stop the ‘massive fight’ from happening. Paul has already knocked out two of White’s former stars – Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren.
    Jake Paul pictured with Eddie Hearn in 2019Credit: Getty
    UFC president Dana White and Conor McGregor in 2016Credit: Getty
    And more recently, he has feuded with the UFC president online, accusing him of underpaying his fighters.
    All while the YouTuber has long called out McGregor – who lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather.
    And Hearn said the Irishman is the biggest fight out there for Paul but admitted his rivalry with White could stand in the way of negotiating a deal.
    He said told DAZN Boxing: “For me, the fight is Conor McGregor. I keep saying it. I think it’s a good fight, to be honest with you.
    “You’ve got the weight difference. Conor McGregor can box. He’s not a boxer but he’s had an amateur background.
    “He’s a lot more accomplished than a Tyron Woodley or an Askren and these kinds of people.
    “And it’s a massive fight. But obviously you’ve got the whole UFC, Dana White – Jake Paul.”
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    UFC fighters are prohibited from competing outside of the octagon, unless given special permission.
    McGregor, 33, was given so to fight Mayweather, 44, in a 2017 crossover bout which White co-promoted.
    But his back-and-forths with Paul, 24, make a deal less likely to be agreed.
    White even responded to Paul’s accusation he uses cocaine and agreed to be tested for the recreational drug over a TEN YEAR period.
    But in return, he wanted to steroid test the 5-0 prizefighter for two years, alleging the American celebrity of cheating.
    Paul denied ever taking steroids and also agreed to be tested by United States Anti Doping – the UFC’s drug testers – to prove it.
    Hearn admitted he was stunned that White responded so publicly to Paul, which played right into the social media sensation’s hands.

    The promoter said: “Jake Paul’s done really well to engage Dana White in those conversations.
    “I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Dana White and I was quite shocked that he posted a video about Jake Paul addressing him.
    “That would have been music to Jake Paul’s ears. Music to his ears, because that’s what he does, he goads you to the point you start talking back.”
    Paul has KO wins over YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, as well as ex-UFC pair Askren, 37, and most recently Woodley, 39.
    The ex-UFC champion was initially beaten on points in August but knocked out in the December rematch.
    Woodley only filled in on short notice after Tommy Fury, 22, pulled out with a broken rib and chest infection.
    It means Paul is still yet to fight an opponent with prior professional boxing experience, something 0-1 McGregor technically has.
    Jake Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley in their rematchCredit: AP
    Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: Getty More

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    Mike Tyson comparisons a ‘great honour’ for UFC champion Francis Ngannou who says Iron is ‘greatest boxer of all time’

    UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou admits it’s a ‘great honour’ to be compared to boxing legend Mike Tyson.The Cameroonian has garnered a fierce reputation as one of combat sports’ most vicious knockout artists during his six-year stint in the UFC.
    UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has developed a reputation as a fierce KO artistCredit: GETTY
    The Predator has several viral KOs to his name – including his vicious KO of Alistair OvereemCredit: GETTY
    Ngannou has drawn comparisons to booking legend Mike TysonCredit: REUTERS
    And the Cameroonian admits it’s an ‘honour’ to be compared to the boxing greatCredit: INSTAGRAM@FRANCISNGANNOU
    Ngannou’s ferociousness inside the cage has recently seen him garner the same fearsome aura Tyson had in the late 1980s and early ’90s.
    And having his name mentioned in the same breath as a prime Tyson is a source of immense pride for ‘The Predator’.
    The 34-year-old told SunSport this week: “Well, that’s such a great honour.
    “That’s honourable just to be at the point that they compare me to Mike Tyson.”
    Although he’s thrilled with the comparisons to Iron Mike – who he holds in the highest regard – Ngannou doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels.
    He said: “I won’t say that it’s my ultimate goal, but it’s something massive as Mike Tyson is my greatest fighter, [greatest] boxer of all time. I get Mike Tyson all day long.”
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    That being said, the former refugee is still over the moon to have his name mentioned in the same breath as the ex-undisputed heavyweight champion’s.
    He said with a wry smile on his face: “So to be at that point [in my career], it’s just great, man. It’s just good stuff.”
    Ngannou was in love with boxing before his now-former coach Fernand Lopez – who will corner against him this weekend – urged him to try his hand at mixed martial arts.
    The UFC’s first African-born heavyweight champion still has ambitions of entering the squared circle and has set his sights on a blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury.
    And he believes a big-money bout with The Gypsy King will come to fruition after he makes the first defence of his title this weekend.
    Francis Ngannou believes Mike Tyson is the ‘greatest boxer of all time’Credit: INSTAGRAM@FRANCISNGANNOU
    Francis Ngannou will defend his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 this weekendCredit: UFC
    When asked how confident he is about a fight with the WBC heavyweight champ coming to fruition, he replied: “Out of ten?
    “Let’s say eight. Why not nine? Just to be conservative.”
    Before Ngannou can think about a venture into the boxing world, he must first get through his UFC 270 heavyweight title unification bout with former team-mate and sparring partner Ciryl Gane.
    The pair know one another intimately having trained together at the MMA Factory in Paris, but Gane insists he’s ‘improved’ significantly since their days as training partners.
    Bon Gamin told SunSport: “I think this time we’ve improved, 100 per cent.
    “We have improved a lot – on my part and his part.
    “At this time, the feeling was, ‘I was really lucky’ because I had just started in MMA and I can spar with a guy who was already in the top-five.”
    “So I think today, it’s going to be a bit different. But this has helped me to have a little more confidence.”
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    Jake Paul urged by Eddie Hearn to face Conor McGregor NEXT but promoter fears Dana White feud may stop ‘massive fight’

    EDDIE HEARN urged Jake Paul to face Conor McGregot next – but fears the feud with Dana White could stop the ‘massive fight’ from happening. Paul has already knocked out two of White’s former stars – Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren.
    Jake Paul pictured with Eddie Hearn in 2019Credit: Getty
    UFC president Dana White and Conor McGregor in 2016Credit: Getty
    And more recently, he has feuded with the UFC president online, accusing him of underpaying his fighters.
    All while the YouTuber has long called out McGregor – who lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather.
    And Hearn said the Irishman is the biggest fight out there for Paul but admitted his rivalry with White could stand in the way of negotiating a deal.
    He said told DAZN Boxing: “For me, the fight is Conor McGregor. I keep saying it. I think it’s a good fight, to be honest with you.
    “You’ve got the weight difference. Conor McGregor can box. He’s not a boxer but he’s had an amateur background.
    “He’s a lot more accomplished than a Tyron Woodley or an Askren and these kinds of people.
    “And it’s a massive fight. But obviously you’ve got the whole UFC, Dana White – Jake Paul.”
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    UFC fighters are prohibited from competing outside of the octagon, unless given special permission.
    McGregor, 33, was given so to fight Mayweather, 44, in a 2017 crossover bout which White co-promoted.
    But his back-and-forths with Paul, 24, make a deal less likely to be agreed.
    White even responded to Paul’s accusation he uses cocaine and agreed to be tested for the recreational drug over a TEN YEAR period.
    But in return, he wanted to steroid test the 5-0 prizefighter for two years, alleging the American celebrity of cheating.
    Paul denied ever taking steroids and also agreed to be tested by United States Anti Doping – the UFC’s drug testers – to prove it.
    Hearn admitted he was stunned that White responded so publicly to Paul, which played right into the social media sensation’s hands.

    The promoter said: “Jake Paul’s done really well to engage Dana White in those conversations.
    “I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Dana White and I was quite shocked that he posted a video about Jake Paul addressing him.
    “That would have been music to Jake Paul’s ears. Music to his ears, because that’s what he does, he goads you to the point you start talking back.”
    Paul has KO wins over YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, as well as ex-UFC pair Askren, 37, and most recently Woodley, 39.
    The ex-UFC champion was initially beaten on points in August but knocked out in the December rematch.
    Woodley only filled in on short notice after Tommy Fury, 22, pulled out with a broken rib and chest infection.
    It means Paul is still yet to fight an opponent with prior professional boxing experience, something 0-1 McGregor technically has.
    Jake Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley in their rematchCredit: AP
    Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: Getty More

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    UFC star Francis Ngannou says there is ‘9/10’ chance he will fight Tyson Fury after Ciryl Gane bout in crossover clash

    UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is 90 per cent sure he’ll Tyson Fury in a blockbuster crossover bout after he makes the first defence of his title.Ngannou, 34, has been on the receiving end of multiple call-outs from the bruising Brit ahead of his UFC 270 title defence against Ciryl Gane on Sunday morning.
    Francis Ngannou was recently called out by WBC heavyweight champion Tyson FuryCredit: TWITTER
    The king of the UFC’s heavyweight division quickly accepted Fury’s call-outCredit: REUTERS
    The Predator is confident a showdown with the Fury will come to fruitionCredit: REUTERS
    The Predator has publicly accepted Fury’s challenges and believes he’ll throw down with the WBC heavyweight champ after seeing off Gane.
    When asked how confident he is about a fight with the Wythenshawe warrior coming to fruition, he replied: Out of ten?
    “Let’s say eight. Why not nine? Just to be conservative.”
    African powerhouse Ngannou is refusing to let the prospect of a multi-million-pound showdown with the Gypsy King distract him from his first defence of the UFC’s heavyweight crown.
    He said: “That idea just came out like that, but I’m not thinking about that fight right now.
    “Obviously I think it would be a good thing to bring something new. Some crossover thing, something strange; very entertaining.
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    “I think he’ll make this very special and very good. Some new fighting style.”
    Ngannou will become a free agent if he loses his grudge match with former team-mate Gane, although a victory will extend his current deal until the end of the year.
    The Cameroonian clubber doesn’t know what the future holds for him but admits he wants his next outing to be a big-money showdown with Fury.
    He said: “I don’t know [if the fight will happen], but that’s who I want it to be [against].”
    Should Ngannou get the better of the undefeated Gane, a blockbuster bout with former pound-for-pound UFC king Jon Jones will be on the cards.
    But if clashes with Jones and Fury were both put to the former refugee, he’d prefer a venture into the boxing ring.
    He told Sky Sports: “If you give me the two options, I would choose fighting Tyson Fury.
    Francis Ngannou must first get past Ciryl Gane before he can think about a fight with Tyson FuryCredit: UFC
    “After fighting Stipe [Miocic], the John Jones fight was on the table, but it seems like nobody really cares about it, so I don’t know.
    “And also, we don’t even know what is the position of Jon Jones right now.
    “I’m not planning my life based on that. I will plan my life based on the facts.”
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    UFC star Nate Diaz called out by Bellator champ AJ McKee to ‘squash the beef’ after their brawl before Jake Paul fight

    NATE DIAZ has been called out by Bellator champion AJ McKee to ‘squash the beef’ following their brawl before Jake Paul’s last fight. The pair were in Florida supporting their training partners Anthony Taylor and Chris Avila, who fought on Paul’s undercard.
    AJ McKee called out Nate Diaz to ‘squash the beef’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    Nate Diaz was involved in an altercation with AJ McKeeCredit: Getty
    And at one of the media days a melee between the opposing teams broke out, with McKee and Diaz involved.
    Now, the Bellator king wants to settle the score inside the cage as ‘head honchos’ of their rivalling camps.
    He told CBS Sport: “Things just escalated a little quickly. Nate has one fight left. I have however many left. But I don’t really care.
    “If we have an issue, at the end of the day, we can let these [fists] do the problem solving for me.
    “He comes from that era. I come from watching that era and growing up in that era. We ain’t gotta do all this and all that.
    “If we have really issues let’s let these do the handling. So far it’s 1-1 with Chris Avila and Anthony.
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    “I think Nate and I need to go ahead and squash the beef as head honchos. Let us get it on and pop it one time and see what it is.
    “I know what it is but I think he needs to see what it is and feel what it is so that he can know.
    “I don’t care what weight class. 150, 170. I walk around 160, 165 right now. Tell me 170 and see what I come back with.”
    Avila, 28, went on to beat Paul’s ex-sparring partner Taylor, 32, over eight rounds in a boxing rematch having initially lost in MMA.
    And McKee, 26, opened up on how the altercation with Diaz, 36, first erupted days beforehand.
    He revealed: “I don’t know how it all started with Anthony but, at the end of the day, Anthony will not be touched in my presence. Period.
    I think Nate and I need to go ahead and squash the beef as head honchos. Let us get it on and pop it one time and see what it is. AJ McKee
    “You know what I mean? If I’m with any of my boys, if somebody has an issue, none of my boys are going to be touched in my presence.
    “I mean, if they catch Ant on the street and beat him up, I’m not going to come and find Nate. But while I’m standing there, he won’t be touched.
    “I don’t care if it’s Chris Avila, Nate Diaz or anyone else. He’s not going to be touched.
    “I have my four-year-old brother with me too, on top of it all. So you know I’m not looking for trouble unless trouble needs to be got.
    “In that situation, he tried to sneak around and get to Anthony. My boy Rhys wasn’t having it. He squared up. I saw someone square up with him.
    “At that point, I mean, hey, when people are squaring up you know what comes after square up – punches get thrown.”
    Anthony Taylor pictured with AJ McKee
    Nate Diaz and training partner Chris Avila More

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    UFC chief Dana White trolls Tyson Fury over lack of ring action following Francis Ngannou vs Gypsy King fight talk

    DANA WHITE said Tyson Fury called out Francis Ngannou because he needs ‘guys to fight’ and admitted: ‘It doesn’t surprise me’. Fury teased a Las Vegas ‘clash of the heavyweight titans’ crossover bout with UFC champion Ngannou.
    Tyson Fury called out Francis NgannouCredit: Rex
    Francis Ngannou, UFC president Dana White and Junior dos SantosCredit: Getty
    He said on Twitter: “Think of the clash of the titans, Fury vs Ngannou. Very excited, very excited.
    “I think this would be an absolutely amazing fight, Las Vegas, the world would want to see it.
    “The clash of the heavyweight titans.”
    The MMA and boxing stars have built a steady rivalry in recent years that has seen the pair challenge other other.
    But UFC fighters are banned from competing outside the promotion, unless given a special exemption.
    Conor McGregor, 33, was given one in 2017 for his lucrative boxing loss to American legend Floyd Mayweather, 44.
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    No fighter has since been given such treatment – but Ngannou wants to put a stop to that.
    Fury, 33, the WBC boxing belt holder since February 2020, has in the past teased a boxing match with UFC gloves on against Ngannou, 35.
    But the Cameroonian has his sights set on a switch to boxing.
    Ngannou defends his title against former training partner Ciryl Gane, 31, next on January 22.
    It is the last fight on his UFC contract and Ngannou has threatened to walk out on the promotion amid a money row.
    And if he is to extend his deal, he wants a clause that would allow him to box at the same time along with a pay rise.
    Think of the clash of the titans, Fury vs Ngannou. Very excited, very excited. Tyson Fury
    Ngannou told told ESPN: “No, I will not fight for $500,000, $600,000 anymore. I mean, it’s over. It’s over.
    “I just did this. I took this fight for a personal reason, and because I want to make sure that regardless, even if it’s unfair.
    “I have been wrongly treated, I can make my case to say I have completed the eight fights. But no.
    “We’ve been having this (boxing) discussion for a year, and it seems like they were OK with it.
    “Whatever you’re doing, whatever the event is, whether it’s boxing, when the UFC is involved, it’s just going to make it bigger.
    “That’s not questionable. So yes, if I want to box, I would like the UFC to be involved.”
    Tyson Fury with his WBC heavyweight titleCredit: Reuters
    UFC heavyweight champion Tyson FuryCredit: Getty More

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    UFC star Conor McGregor ‘follows’ Jake Paul’s boxing manager on Instagram to fuel speculation of mega-money grudge match

    CONOR McGREGOR has ‘followed’ Jake Paul’s boxing manager on Instagram – fueling speculation of a mega-money grudge match. Paul has long named the UFC legend as his dream opponent, and once claimed to have a $50million offer for McGregor.
    Conor McGregor has ‘followed’ Jake Paul’s boxing manager on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma
    Jake Paul has long called out Conor McGregorCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Conor McGregor is following Jake Paul’s boxing manager and advisor Nakisa Bidarian
    The Irishman still chose to largely ignore the callouts and barely even acknowledged the YouTuber-turned 5-0 prizefighter.
    But now, eagle-eyed fans on social media noticed McGregor has recently followed Paul’s manager and advisor Nakisa Bidarian.
    Additionally, Bidarian was the UFC’s Chief Financial Officer up until 2016 and had a front row seat for The Notorious’ meteoric rise to superstardom.
    But since leaving the UFC, he has helped build Paul as a pay-per-view boxing attraction.
    And despite McGregor opting against interacting with the American, Paul has insisted talks for a lucrative boxing bout have taken place behind the scenes.
    He told Graham Bensinger last year: “His [McGregor’s] manager is good friends with my manager and another one of my advisors and they talk constantly about making it happen.
    “They’re like, ‘Yeah we’re down, we’re about it’.”
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    Despite Paul’s claim, UFC fighters are prohibited from competing outside of the MMA promotion unless given special permission.
    McGregor was granted the chance to face Floyd Mayweather, 44, in a 2017 boxing crossover.
    But UFC president Dana White has spent the last year feuding with Paul, leaving the polarising celebrity to doubt if he would bend the rules again.
    He said: “I think Dana White is obstacle No1.
    “If Dana would ever let Conor out of his contract to set up the boxing match, I think that’s what is needed to make it happen.”
    Paul has already knocked out two of White’s prior fighters before, Ben Askren, 37, and then Tyron Woodley, 39.
    It added to KOs over YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37.

    Paul initially beat Woodley on points in August and then signed to fight Tommy Fury, 22, in December.
    But Fury pulled out with a bacterial chest infection and broken rib, leaving Woodley to fill in on two week’s notice, only to lose in round six.
    Paul, still yet to face an opponent with professional boxing experience, later called out UFC pair Jorge Masvidal, 37, and Nate Diaz, 36.
    But in an interview on former boxing trainer Teddy Atlas’ podcast, White was quick to shoot down the idea.
    White said: “You notice how he wants to fight f***ing everybody that’s not in his weight class, guys that are older and all this bulls***.
    “Go fight a boxer. Go hump somebody else’s leg, you goofball.”
    Conor McGregor lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2017Credit: Getty
    Jake Paul brutally knocked out Tyron Woodley in their rematchCredit: AP More

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    Jake Paul sent UFC star Conor McGregor a message on Instagram urging him to ‘take the fight pussy’ after $50m offer

    JAKE PAUL continued his relentless pursuit of a boxing match with Conor McGregor by direct messaging the UFC superstar on Instagram.The YouTuber revealed his eagerness to take on McGregor a few days after scoring a sensational second-round KO victory over Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr late last year.
    Jake Paul slid into Conor McGregor’s direct messages on Instagram
    Jake Paul launched a foul-mouthed tirade at Conor McGregor earlier this week
    And last July, the 24-year-old doubled down on his desire to box McGregor in a foul-mouthed tirade on Instagram, in which he claimed his team have sent the UFC’s poster boy a whopping £37million ($50million) offer.
    McGregor refrained from responding to the x-rated call-out, in which Paul made derogatory comments about the Irishman’s fiancee, Dee Devlin.
    And in another attempt to get the former two-division UFC champion’s attention Paul – whose older brother Logan stepped in the ring with Floyd Mayweather – sent a short and sweet direct message to The Notorious on Instagram.
    Paul’s message read: “Take the fight pussy.”
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    After sharing his DM to McGregor, Paul launched a blistering rant at UFC president Dana White, who revealed he was willing to let women’s bantamweight and featherweight queen Amanda Nunes fight the former Disney star.
    He said: “Alright, Dana, let me try to understand your logic here: So you’re saying you don’t want me to fight Conor McGregor because he’s one of the greatest fighters in the world and I’m just like a YouTuber of whatever.
    “But then, in a statement today, you say: ‘Oh, I’m thinking about just having Amanda Nunes knock him out.’ But she’s also one of the greatest.
    “Dana, you seem to have this thing where you sort of hate on videogamers or YouTubers and influencers and us boxing and all this stuff.
    “But then, you spend half your time hanging out with the Nelk Boys. And I know why. It’s because they have hella influence over the male audience and you know that’s gonna promote the UFC.
    “And right now, baby, there’s nobody in this f***ing world who is promoting the UFC as much as me.
    Tens of millions of views, number one search result on Google when you type in Conor McGregor, when you type in UFC, when you type in Dana White. So you’re not making sense here.
    “Dana, I know the world doesn’t really know this because the UFC is this huge company. But we all know it’s not doing that well.
    Jake Paul knocked out Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition bout with Roy Jones JrCredit: AP:Associated Press
    “Anyone who is involved in WME and all the public stocks and everything that went south there, we know the company is not doing well. And I’m the biggest money fight you can do unless Khabib comes out of retirement.
    “So if you want the UFC to make the most amount of money, you better start to wake the f**k up and realise that Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor is going to happen at some point.”
    Paul’s rant at White came shortly after he ambushed McGregor’s team-mate Dillon Danis and pelted him with water balloons.
    Paul may very well be a combat sports novice, but he’s well and truly at the centre of the boxing and MMA worlds at this moment in time.
    Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50m contract for boxing fight and blasts UFC legend and Dana White are ‘f***ing scared’ More