MMA

JAKE PAUL’S ex-sparring partner said boxing promoters will ‘clown the f***’ out of Tyron Woodley and allow a ‘sad’ win for the YouTuber. Paul faces the ex-UFC champion on August 28 in his fourth and toughest professional fight.
Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and Jake PaulCredit: Reuters
Woodley, 39, comes into his boxing debut as one of the best welterweights in UFC history, reigning the division from 2016-2018 with four defences.
But more recently, the American has lost his last four fights, without a win in three years.
Light-heavyweight boxer Ahmed Elbiali, who once sparred Paul, has accused promoters of perfectly picking the right matchup.
And he fears it will leave Woodley – an MMA legend – facing an embarrassing defeat against a self-proclaimed ‘Disney kid’.
Elbiali, 30, told SunSport: “I saw some videos of Woodley and I was like, ‘This is so sad’. They’re really going to clown this former MMA world champion.
“They’re going to clown the f*** out of him as boxing matchmaking is special, and it takes a while to learn how to hit hard in boxing gloves.
“Jake is the bigger guy too and weight classes matter in boxing. You hit any man in 10-ounce gloves they’re going to feel it.
“I’m sure Tyron hits hard but whoever’s matchmaking Jake’s career is not going to let that happen.”

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How Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley compare ahead of their boxing match

Elbiali sparred Paul last year, before the social media star’s second fight, against ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
At the time, he was 1-0 as a pro having stopped online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in one round.
Paul, 24, then went on to brutally knock out Robinson, 37, in two rounds before stopping retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, in the first round in April.
Not only has the former Disney Channel actor improved to 3-0 all by KO, he has become one of the most polarising figures in the fight game.
Elbiali, who is 20-1, admits to pulling his punches against Paul when they sparred in Las Vegas.
But in hindsight he regrets the approach and offered a brutal assessment of Paul and Woodley, who are set to headline on Showtime pay-per-view Stateside.
Elbiali said: “Jake’s about to fight Tyron Woodley but I see that as garbage versus trash and I got trash winning by knockout.
“That’s exactly how I see it. Tyron is a really good MMA world champion but he’s garbage at boxing and Jake is just pure trash.
“He’s not a boxer, I wish I would’ve done things differently when I sparred Jake, I wish I had a plan, like p*** in a water gun and throw it at him or some s***.”
YouTuber Jake Paul appears to be scared to look at opponent Tyron Woodley More

JAKE PAUL has been backed to knock out Tyron Woodley by UFC featherweight Jeremy Stephens, who said the YouTuber is ‘an athletic freak’. Paul faces ex-UFC welterweight champion Woodley on August 28 in his fourth professional fight.
Tyron Woodley fights Jake Paul on August 28Credit: Reuters
Jeremy Stephens backed Jake Paul to KO Tyron WoodleyCredit: Getty
The social media star, who wrestled and played American football in college, is 3-0 in his career, all by knockout.
But he has so far only beaten online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, a renowned grappler.
Woodley, 39, on the other hand has lost his last four fights and has not win since 2018.
It leaves UFC veteran Stephens, 35, backing Paul to continue his hot streak and praised the celebrity for his dedication and approach to the fight game.
He told MMA News: “I think Jake Paul’s got some skills, man. I think a lot of people kind of estimate this guy.
“I think he actually is gonna do really well against Tyron Woodley, and he might knock him out.
“And he’s got the money, and the training, and he’s surrounded himself with really good people, and he’s an athletic freak.
“And he’s not afraid to put himself out there. I’m kinda diggin’ this guy.”
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How Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley compare ahead of their boxing match

Woodley was once the king of the 170lb UFC division after brutally knocking out Robbie Lawler, now 39, in 2016.
He defended the belt four times before surrendering it to current champ Kamaru Usman, 34, in 2019.
He has since lost to Gilbert Burns, 34, Colby Covington, 33, and most recently Vicente Luque, 29, before leaving the UFC.
Paul argued Woodley’s tough streak of defeats leaves him ‘wounded soldier’ and warned their fight will not go into round three.
He told Showtime: “I think as soon as I touch him, his body is going to go back to that losing mentality, the fight or flight and he’s not gonna wanna sit there and fight.
Jake Paul knocked out Ben Askren in round oneCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tyron Woodley has lost his last four fightsCredit: Getty
“I don’t know, I just see that that’s why I’ve been saying two rounds.
“I’m too sharp, I’m too fast, I’m too powerful and he has 85 days to do this, learn how to box, and unlearn all those bad habits.
“I’m going to eat up his body, I’m going to eat up his head. ‘He’s not going to know where I’m coming from.
“Kamaru Usman put some damage on him, all these guys put some damage on him, Gilbert Burns put the damage on him.
“He’s coming in a wounded soldier.”
YouTuber Jake Paul appears to be scared to look at opponent Tyron Woodley More

ANDERSON SILVA revealed he wants Logan Paul in his ‘next fight’ after beating ex-boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The UFC legend scored a shock upset as he outpointed son of a legend Chavez Jr in Mexico.
Anderson Silva beat ex-boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: EPA
Floyd Mayweather after his exhibition with Logan PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was only the Brazilian’s third professional boxing bout, and his first since 2005.
Silva, who was released by the UFC last year after his third straight loss, vowed to fight on after his crossover win.
And he is targeting Paul, who just took Floyd Mayweather the distance in their exhibition bout, or the YouTuber’s brother, Jake.
Silva, 46, told MMA Junkie: “I respect both. I have a great relationship with both brothers, and yeah, I think this is possible, too.
“That’s entertaining. It’s a fight, but it’s entertaining. Logan and his brother are amazing guys.
“The people like to talk a lot about the guys, but they’re very good people. I respect both, and I respect the sport. I think everything’s possible.
“I think it’s the next fight may be with Logan Paul, maybe.”
Jake, 24, is 3-0 in his career and most recently knocked out retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, in April.

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The social media star faces former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 39, on August 28 and offered Silva a spot on the undercard against Roy Jones Jr.
He tweeted: “Respect to Anderson Silva @spideranderson on the win….
“Would be an honor to have him vs Roy Jones Jr on the same card as Tyron and I.”
Silva and boxing great Jones have long been linked with a fight against each other but the UFC contractually permitted the move.
Now, both veterans are free to finally share the ring, after Jones, 52, made a comeback of his own last November, drawing with Mike Tyson.
Tyson, 54, also plans to fight again, and was recently called out by Paul, 26, who to the shock of many took Mayweather, 44, the full eight round distance.
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VITOR BELFORT claimed he will face Evander Holyfield in December after ‘the biggest fight ever’ with Oscar De La Hoya. The former UFC champion and boxing legend De La Hoya have signed for a boxing exhibition on September 18.
Vitor Belfort claimed he will face Evander Holyfield in DecemberCredit: AFP
Evander Holyfield is returning to the boxing ringCredit: Instagram
But afterwards, Belfort believes he will be welcoming back heavyweight great Holyfield to the ring.
He told TMZ Sports: “After September, December is me versus Holyfield.
“Get ready for the crossover. We are taking over. Triller is bringing the fights.”
Holyfield, 58, was set to return against Mike Tyson’s final professional opponent Kevin McBride, 48, in August.
But it has since been rescheduled with a new date yet to be confirmed.
De La Hoya, 48, will fight for the first time in 13 years when he shares the ring with MMA veteran Belfort, who is 1-0 as a boxer.
Floyd Mayweather, 44, sold 4.4million pay-per-views for his lucrative crossover bout with Conor McGregor, in 2017, which he won in ten rounds.
But Belfort, 44, expects his fight with 1992 Olympian De La Hoya to surpass the magnitude of Mayweather and McGregor’s money-spinner.

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He explained: “I believe this fight with me and Oscar, this is the biggest fight ever.
“The reason why is Oscar is a legendary gold medallist, one of the best pound-for-pound that ever lived.
“He revolutionised the sport. If it wasn’t for Oscar, there wouldn’t be Mayweather. If it wasn’t for Vitor Belfort, Conor McGregor wouldn’t exist.
“So now the new generation will be educated on who these two guys are from Mexico and Brazil going to America, the land of the dreams.
“Oscar became an Olympic gold medallist. Vitor became the youngest (UFC) champion ever. This fight is about breaking records.”
Oscar De La Hoya is returning after 13 years outCredit: Getty
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TYSON FURY backed Conor McGregor to win his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier ‘in style’ – but warned ‘it’s curtains’ if he loses.McGregor, who initially knocked out Poirier in 2014, suffered a disastrous return to the octagon in January as he was stopped in the second round.
Tyson Fury backed Conor McGregor to win his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier ‘in styleCredit: Rex
Conor McGregor rematches Dustin Poirier in JulyCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma
It has set up a blockbuster trilogy decider on July 10 in Las Vegas, with a win putting the Irishman right back in the top of the pile.
But a consecutive loss for the UFC’s biggest star could see him contemplating his career.
WBC champion Fury tipped McGregor to prevail in the must-win rematch – but fears the repercussion of another setback could be detrimental.
He told UFC legend Michael Bisping on BT Sport: “It’s Conor McGregor’s final roll of the dice.
“If he loses this one it’s curtains isn’t it? I think he wins this one and I think he wins it in style, to be fair.”
Fury, 32, likened his struggles outside of the ring to McGregor’s, having seen his boxing career go off the rails in 2015.
A battle with depression and substance abuse saw him vacate the titles in 2016 before taking a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
By 2018, Fury completed a remarkable comeback to the ring after shedding TEN STONE and last year capped off his inspirational turnaround.
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The unbeaten Brit dethroned Deontay Wilder, 35, in their rematch to win the WBC title.
Fury is fully dedicated to his craft having put his demons behind him, but compared his struggles to McGregor’s.
The Notorious – who has lived up to his name in and out of the cage – has admitted to losing concentration in training camp.
That included drinking just days before his bitter defeat to rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, 32, in 2018.
McGregor, 32, has since insisted the lack of discipline is a thing of the past, but Fury knows the dangers of not living the life.
Conor McGregor after defeat to Khabib in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
Tyson Fury is the WBC heavyweight championCredit: Reuters
He said: “With Conor, you never know what he’s been doing. You never know what he’s been up to in training camps and all that.
“From what I hear, he lives like a rock star when he’s like a week away from his fight, so you can’t do that.
“When I’m in a training camp I’m 100 per cent dedicated to the fight.
“I don’t do anything, I go to bed early, wake up early, don’t drink anything but water, I’m 100 per cent dedicated to the job in hand.
“If I’m going out getting smashed in the nights before a fight, then I’m asking to lose.”
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HENRY CEJUDO insisted Conor McGregor ‘wouldn’t last a minute’ in the boxing ring with ‘killer’Oscar De La Hoya. McGregor was beaten on his boxing debut by American legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
Oscar De La Hoya said Conor McGregor ‘wouldn’t last a minute’ with Oscar De La HoyaCredit: Reuters
Conor McGregor lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017Credit: USA Today Sports
The Irishman has flirted with a return to the ring before, and even once accepted a call out from De La Hoya, who is set to make his comeback.
McGregor lasted ten rounds against Mayweather, but even at the age of 48, ex-UFC champion Cejudo backed De La Hoya to get the job done in one.
He told EsNews: “Oscar would put him away. He’s a killer, and he’s not a Mayweather.
“He’s not a defensive guy. If he were to fight Conor in boxing, he wouldn’t last a minute, I swear to you. Left hook, jab.”
De La Hoya responded: “That would be interesting.
“After he made half a billion dollars, I think Conor is pretty good. I have always respected him.
“There is always respect amongst fighters Unless you have a beef with somebody.”
De La Hoya blasted Mayweather’s lucrative crossover fight with McGregor four years ago.
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry CejudoCredit: Getty
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But now, he appears eager to get in on the action, as he predicted a second-round knockout against McGregor if they fought.
He said on the State of Combat podcast in May: “Two rounds. Because one thing about me, one thing about me, I went for the kill always.
“And look, Conor McGregor is⁠ – I love him in the Octagon. I respect him. I watch him all the time.
“But the boxing ring is a whole different story. It’s a whole different story.”
McGregor, 32, responded soon after: “I accept your challenge, Oscar de la Hoya.”
The former two-weight UFC champion went on to make his UFC return seven months later, losing to Dustin Poirier, 32, who he had beaten in 2014.
It has set them up for a trilogy decider on July 10 in Las Vegas, while De La Hoya fights for the first time in 13 years in September.
Conor McGregor ahead of his UFC return
Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson with Oscar De La Hoya
He was in talks with UFC legend Georges St-Pierre, but Dana White blocked the fight.
St-Pierre, 39, is under contract with the UFC despite his 2019 retirement and would need their permission to make the boxing switch.
GSP revealed an eight-round exhibition was proposed with some of the proceeds going to charity, before negotiations collapsed.
St-Pierre told MMA Joe: “It would’ve been bigger gloves, two-minute rounds, eight rounds.
“So the terms were different to accommodate, to make it more like a show. It’s less dangerous.
“Part of the profit, part of our purses would have been given to a charity. Unfortunately it did not happen, but it would have been fun.
“It’s a different form of entertainment, and with boxing you can tweak it like this — you can change the gloves — in MMA you can’t really do that.”
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FUTURE UFC Hall-of-Famer Anderson Silva has refused to rule out fighting the Paul brothers – despite being old enough to be the YouTubers’ dad.The MMA legend, 46, is currently gearing up for a return to the boxing ring, which he’ll be welcomed back to this weekend by Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
UFC legend Anderson Silva is gearing up for a return to the boxing worldCredit: Getty
And the future hall-of-famer has refused to close the door on fights with the Paul brothersCredit: Instagram @jakepaul
And the former long-reigning UFC middleweight champion is seemingly open to taking part in money-spinning showdowns with social media stars Logan and Jake Paul after his return to the squared circle.
When a potential fight with the Paul brothers was put to Silva, he told MMASucka: “Wow – We’ll see.
“I’m very excited [about this fight, so] we’ll see.
“I’m preparing my mind and I’m preparing my body for being my best.
“And to make success in this sport and showing my respect for this sport.”
Former pound-for-pound king Silva wanted to box whilst he was still under contract with the UFC, setting his sights on a bout with former four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr.
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The UFC, however, refused to entertain the prospect of their dominant 185lb king fighting outside of the cage.
Silva told MMA Junkie: “I put (it) on the table many, many years ago that opportunity to show the world.
“I gave the opportunity for the UFC to change everything, but it didn’t happen at the moment and that’s fine.
“I think now everything is new and people want to see the entertainment.”
Silva is relishing his eight-rounder with former WBC middleweight king Chavez Jr but admits he doesn’t know what the future holds for him.
Chavez is uncertain about the futureCredit: Getty

He said: “Everything is possible. Now I’m just trying to challenge myself.
“Maybe I fight on the same card my son is fighting kickboxing. Maybe fight jiu-jitsu – GI or no GI. Maybe muay-Thai.
“I’m very excited to go to Thailand, and train and fight in Thailand.
“I don’t know. Everything is possible.”
Silva’s return to the boxing world was set following his release from the UFC last November.
The legendary Brazilian lost five of his six most recent octagon outings, including his final appearance against Uriah Hall.
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