MMA

JAKE PAUL has opened up on the Disney ‘curse’ – and revealed he is using Ben Askren’s taunts as motivation to knock out the retired UFC fighter.
The internet personality-turned professional boxer was a hit with kids on the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark, playing Dirk Mann from 2015 to 2017.

Jake Paul starred on the Disney Channel show BizaardvarkCredit: Alamy

Jake Paul is currently 2-0 as a boxerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But fast forward four years and Paul is now a 2-0 fighter with 20MILLION subscribers on his popular YouTube channel.
His prior career as a small screen star has not been forgotten by ex-UFC welterweight Askren, who mocked Paul for being a ‘Disney kid’.
But now the 36-year-old, who hung up his gloves in 2019, has been warned his words could come back to haunt him come fight night on April 17.
Paul, 24, told SunSport: “You know, I think he’s doing a good job of promoting the fight and talking smack.

“You know, I’m embracing the fact that I’m a Disney teen actor.
“I’m completely embracing that I actually made a side by side comparison of my stats and his stats as as a fighter.
“You know, he’s a two time NCAA champion Olympic wrestler. He’s defeated MMA legends he has a better record than Conor McGregor.
“And me on the other hand, I put Disney actor YouTuber virgin, the list goes on.

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“But this is why it’s embarrassing for him is because he’s going to get beat up by a kid who was on Disney Channel.
“So you know, he can keep on promoting that I’m a Disney actor, but when I knock him out that just gonna make him look even more stupid.”
Paul turned pro in 2020, stopping social media rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in one round.
He then enhanced his knockout record last November, as he left ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 36, flattened, turning him into a meme in the process.
Paul started his boxing journey in 2018, having only wrestled in high-school, as he and his brother fought in separate exhibitions in England.
Eldest of the Pauls Logan, 25, drew to KSI, 27, whose brother ‘Deji’ lost to Jake.
Up until then the Pauls were known only for their antics online and brief stint on Disney Channel.

Jake Paul beat rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in one roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Nate Robinson was KO’d by Jake PaulCredit: AP:Associated Press
But since leaving TV, both have enjoyed superstardom on YouTube and an ever-growing presence in the boxing business.
In doing so, they avoided the Disney ‘curse’ which has seen other stars suffer mental health breakdowns, eating disorders and suicide attempts.
Paul said: “You know, I think it’s because there’s a lot of pressure and difficulty that comes with childhood fame.
“And growing up with your life under a microscope.
“So when you become famous at an early age, everyone’s gonna want you to fail, they’re gonna want to see you mess up, they’re gonna want to scrutinise you for everything.
“And so I think Disney kids become a product of that. And it’s almost like, people are wanting them to mess up. So they then mess up.
“And they’re working all the time. Like when I was on set, it was a lot of work. And so I think imbalances in life aren’t good.
“And so if you’re working all the time as a kid, all of a sudden, when that stops, maybe you want to party, maybe you want to have fun, and maybe that sort of leads down the wrong path.

Jake Paul pictured next to older brother LoganCredit: Instagram @jakepaul

Both the Paul brothers have transitioned into boxing
“You know, for me, I was lucky to be above that, in many ways. And I was a little bit older when I came into the Disney’s ecosystem.
“But that’s sort of what I see from being in there. And yeah, I think like growing up under a microscope isn’t easy.”
Asked does Disney offer therapy for kid stars, Paul responded: “I think the support system around those is really strong.
“And a lot of kids parents are super involved in the day to day process. They have the teachers and people on set to always help them.
“So I definitely see a strong support system in it and a lot of ways Disney even would ask me to step in and be a big brother to these kids.
“So in many ways i was their big brother, or they looked up to me. So I think there was a good support system and everyone there was just super loving.”
Paul and Disney ‘mutually agreed’ to end their partnership but it was later speculated the American’s behaviour while making viral videos led to the axe.

Jake Paul starred on Disney Channel from 2015-2017Credit: Alamy

Jake Paul ‘mutually agreed’ to leave Disney ChannelCredit: Alamy
But he still insists he had a part in the decision to walk away and believes people are quick to suggest he was fired in order to fit his wild child narrative.
Paul explained: “I think it was a long time coming. You know, a lot of the media paint any picture of you that they want.
“The split between Disney and I, in fact, was mutual, it was like sort of this thing that was coming.
“But at the time, everyone was like, ‘Oh, you got fired by Disney, you got fired by Disney’. So I kind of just ran with it.
“Because there wasn’t really like, I wasn’t able to tell the truth about it. Or people just didn’t want to hear the truth.
“They just wanted to be like Jake Paul got fired by Disney.
“But it was sort of this, too, you know, a brand and Disney and Jake Paul, kind of two brands growing apart.
“And so it sort of made sense. And ultimately, both parties are happier after that split.”

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CONOR McGREGOR’S team-mate warned the UFC legend might ‘lose control’ if he fought Jake Paul and make it ‘very dangerous’ for the YouTuber.
Social media sensation Paul, 2-0 as a boxer, has tirelessly chased a boxing match with former UFC champion McGregor.

Frans Mlambo pictured with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

YouTuber Jake Paul has two knockout wins to his nameCredit: Getty Images – Getty

He even claimed to have a $50million cheque waiting to go, as he also directed insults to the Irishman’s fiancee Dee Devlin.
McGregor’s training partner Frans Mlambo doubts any amount of money could convince the superstar into facing Paul.
But if he did, the internet phenomenon has been told if the foul-mouthed tirades continue, he will be made to pay for his words.
Mlambo told SunSport: “I thought the whole thing was ridiculous.

“Conor would try and make an example out of him. Conor is rich and all but he’s still one of the boys and he doesn’t take s***.
“He’s obviously grown now, he’s a father and a family man but maybe he’s staying out of the whole thing for everybody’s safety.
“He’d lose control if he went into those situations.

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“If the fight actually happened and Jake Paul was talking all this garbage leading up to it, it would be very dangerous Conor in that ring.
“It would make a load of other people a load of money and that’s why people will be pushing for it, but it is something that should not happen.”
Paul, 24, has two knockout wins to his name, but only against internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
He fights former UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, next on April 17, after goading McGregor by changing his offer to just $10,000.
The Dublin southpaw, 32, made his ring debut in 2017, losing to all-time great Floyd Mayweather, 43, banking around £100m in doing so.
But Mlambo is not confident any sum could entice aspiring billionaire McGregor into fighting viral vlogger Paul and entertaining the antics that comes with it.

Conor McGregor pictured before his UFC comeback

Jake Paul pictured after a sparring sessionCredit: Instagram / @danieltoretto
He said: “For 50million I’d fight anybody, it would literally never not make sense, I’d fight Goliath.
“But Conor’s in a total different position that $50m might not be worth the effort, the rigamarole of going through the WWE-entertainment style leading up to the fight.
“I feel like if he went into the Jake Paul thing he might be looking at it as more of a show more than anything else.
“It might not even be worth the money to him, just my view knowing what I know about Conor.”
Mlambo, a Bellator featherweight, would prefer to see his sparring partner rematch Dustin Poirier immediately.
McGregor was knocked out by Poirier at UFC 257, just under seven years after doing the same to the American.
The pair are now tied at one apiece and already talking up a trilogy.

Conor McGregor was beaten by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Conor McGregor is eyeing a trilogy against Dustin PoirierCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It has also forced McGregor to shelve his proposed mega-money boxing return against 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao.
But Mlambo has backed his Straight Blast Gym gym-mate to bounce back in the UFC before entertaining a switch to the ring again.
He explained: “The Manny Pacquiao fight is an entertaining one and I’m sure it would make more money than any UFC one.
“So in that may I’d go for it but the loss to Poirier would be eating at Conor and I reckon he’d be trying to get into the octagon straight away to mend that.

“Since there’s a loss, it wouldn’t even be a distraction it just wouldn’t make sense to do the Pacquiao fight right now.
“Think of the promotion, it would be known he’s going in to fight one of the biggest boxers on the planet and he’s coming off a bad loss.
“He should put the Manny Pacquiao thing on pause right now, go back into the cage, take out a few lads and then we can talk about that.”

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CONOR McGREGOR’S team-mate warned the UFC star might ‘lose control’ if he fought Jake Paul and make it ‘very dangerous’ for the YouTuber.
Social media sensation Paul, 2-0 as a boxer, has tirelessly chased a boxing match with former UFC champion McGregor.

Frans Mlambo pictured with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

YouTuber Jake Paul has two knockout wins to his nameCredit: Getty Images – Getty

He even claimed to have a $50million cheque waiting to go, as he also directed insults to the Irishman’s fiancee Dee Devlin.
McGregor’s training partner Frans Mlambo doubts any amount of money could convince the superstar into facing Paul.
But if he did, the internet phenomenon has been told if the foul-mouthed tirades continue, he will be made to pay for his words.
Mlambo told SunSport: “I thought the whole thing was ridiculous.

“Conor would try and make an example out of him. Conor is rich and all but he’s still one of the boys and he doesn’t take s***.
“He’s obviously grown now, he’s a father and a family man but maybe he’s staying out of the whole thing for everybody’s safety.
“He’d lose control if he went into those situations.

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“If the fight actually happened and Jake Paul was talking all this garbage leading up to it, it would be very dangerous Conor in that ring.
“It would make a load of other people a load of money and that’s why people will be pushing for it, but it is something that should not happen.”
Paul, 24, has two knockout wins to his name, but only against internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
He fights former UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, next on April 17, after goading McGregor by changing his offer to just $10,000.
The Dublin southpaw, 32, made his ring debut in 2017, losing to all-time great Floyd Mayweather, 43, banking around £100m in doing so.
But Mlambo is not confident any sum could entice aspiring billionaire McGregor into fighting viral vlogger Paul and entertaining the antics that comes with it.

Conor McGregor pictured before his UFC comeback

Jake Paul pictured after a sparring sessionCredit: Instagram / @danieltoretto
He said: “For 50million I’d fight anybody, it would literally never not make sense, I’d fight Goliath.
“But Conor’s in a total different position that $50m might not be worth the effort, the rigamarole of going through the WWE-entertainment style leading up to the fight.
“I feel like if he went into the Jake Paul thing he might be looking at it as more of a show more than anything else.
“It might not even be worth the money to him, just my view knowing what I know about Conor.”
Mlambo, a Bellator featherweight, would prefer to see his sparring partner rematch Dustin Poirier immediately.
McGregor was knocked out by Poirier at UFC 257, just under seven years after doing the same to the American.
The pair are now tied at one apiece and already talking up a trilogy.

Conor McGregor was beaten by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Conor McGregor is eyeing a trilogy against Dustin PoirierCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It has also forced McGregor to shelve his proposed mega-money boxing return against 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao.
But Mlambo has backed his Straight Blast Gym gym-mate to bounce back in the UFC before entertaining a switch to the ring again.
He explained: “The Manny Pacquiao fight is an entertaining one and I’m sure it would make more money than any UFC one.
“So in that may I’d go for it but the loss to Poirier would be eating at Conor and I reckon he’d be trying to get into the octagon straight away to mend that.

“Since there’s a loss, it wouldn’t even be a distraction it just wouldn’t make sense to do the Pacquiao fight right now.
“Think of the promotion, it would be known he’s going in to fight one of the biggest boxers on the planet and he’s coming off a bad loss.
“He should put the Manny Pacquiao thing on pause right now, go back into the cage, take out a few lads and then we can talk about that.”

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NATE DIAZ has revealed he’s open to boxing Jake Paul – but insisted he won’t fight the YouTuber any time soon.
The UFC superstar took aim at Paul last December after seeing the YouTuber aggressively pursue a boxing match with Conor McGregor.

Nate Diaz has revealed he’s open to boxing Jake PaulCredit: INSTAGRAM@NATEDIAZ

Nate Diaz isn’t a fan of YouTube star Jake PaulCredit: Instagram / @danieltoretto

Paul didn’t let Diaz get away with trolling him on Twitter, firing back with a video of him getting the better of the Ultimate Fighter season five winner’s team-mate AJ Agazarm in a sparring session.
And the former Disney star’s antics have made Diaz want to share the ring with him.
When asked if he wants to box the younger Paul brother, Diaz told ESPN: “Nah, not at the moment. But at some point for sure.”
Fan favourite Diaz, 35, added: “I don’t know, we’ll see what happens.”

Paul, 23, is set to take on ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren in a boxing match on April 17.
The YouTuber is confident of getting the better of the former Bellator and ONE Championship champ, recently claiming he won’t land a single punch on him.
But Diaz reckons Paul may have bitten off more than he can chew with Funky.
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He said: “I think one thing he has to understand is he’s fighting Ben Askren.
“That’s a different type of boxing match than he’s probably going to be used to.
“So he better bring some goofy, unorthodox wrestlers to spar with.
“Because sometimes those are the harder fights just because they’re unorthodox and you don’t know what to expect coming from a boxing point of view.

“I would expect Ben Askren [will win]. But it could it be tough, it could be easy.
“Who knows? That’s what makes it kind of interesting.”
Diaz hasn’t fought since losing his BMF title fight with Jorge Masvidal in November 2019.
The Stockton native is hoping to return to the octagon this year and has set his sights on fights with Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira.

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JAKE PAUL claimed Conor McGregor ‘doesn’t have that hunger anymore’ and said the UFC star is ‘way easier’ than Floyd Mayweather.
The YouTuber, who is 2-0 as a boxer, has chased a fight with McGregor and even claimed to have a $50million cheque waiting to go.

Jake Paul took another swipe at Conor McGregor

Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Paul’s viral goading took a turn in January after McGregor was knocked out by Dustin Poirier, and taunted that his offer now stood at just $10,000.
The social media sensation – who was called out by Floyd Mayweather – has questioned the Irishman’s desire.
And as a result, he feels Mayweather, 43, is by far the harder opponent to beat compared to McGregor, 32, who was beaten by the American legend.
Paul, 24, said on the I AM ATHLETE podcast: “Conor, Conor is way easier than Floyd.

“Conor is way easier than Floyd and Conor, just like Ben Askren is doing currently, Conor will underestimate me, he’ll come into the ring, be like ‘this is an easy payday’.
“He just doesn’t have that hunger anymore, that’s why he got starched in his last fight, it’s because he has everything.
“He doesn’t need to fight for s*** anymore.”
Paul has two knockouts to his name, against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.

How Floyd Mayweather and Jake Paul compare
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And he is now set to face retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, in his third pro bout, scheduled for April 17.
But Mayweather, who is due to fight Jake’s brother Logan, 25, this year, said he would box the younger Paul afterwards, should he beat Askren.
The 43-year-old officially retired in 2017 after stopping McGregor in ten rounds.
He did return for an exhibition bout a year later, wiping out featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in one round.
Mayweather will face Logan – who lost his pro debut to rival KSI in 2019 – in a similar spectacle but their initial February 20 date was postponed.
The Pauls have a farcical experience and skill disparity to Mayweather, but do outweigh and outreach the ex-welterweight king.

Jake Paul beat ‘AnEsonGib’ in round oneCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Floyd Mayweather is set to fight Logan PaulCredit: AFP
And Jake warned the all-time great that he is risking his legacy by agreeing to fight the novice but much larger celebrity brothers.
He said: “He’s one of the greatest ever, if not the greatest ever and I respect him and his whole entire career.
“But, you know we’ll see what happens with him and my brother. He’s been inactive, he’s 40-something-year’s old now.
“And again, everyone he’s fought, he’s fought them at 150-pounds. I’m coming in 210, it is a difference, it is a difference.
“I’m coming in early in my career, I don’t see us fighting for another 18-months-24 months but you know who knows what will happen?
He continued: “If you play with the fire too long, you’re going to get burnt.
“I think he’s making mistakes here. He’s going to ruin his legacy by trying to f*** around and do one of these fights.
“Defence, he’s ducking all these 150-pounders, 145-pounders but even then Shane Mosley almost sleeps him at 145-pounds.
“All I’ve got to do is hit him once at 210-pounds and…”

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NATE DIAZ claimed he invented the blueprint on how to beat Conor McGregor – which Floyd Mayweather and Dustin Poirier copied.
Diaz became the first man to ever beat the Irishman in the UFC, winning by second round submission in March 2016.

Nate Diaz submitted Conor McGregor in 2016Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association

McGregor, who went from featherweight to welterweight, started off strong but tired quickly, leading to the loss.
And Diaz reckons boxing legend Mayweather – who beat the ex-UFC champion in 2017 – and Poirier both adopted the same tactics.
He told ESPN: “I thought he did horribly [against Mayweather], I thought he did everything that I and the other boxers thought he would do.
“He went in there, punched himself out and got knocked out – he didn’t learn from what happened when I fought him.

“Floyd Mayweather watched the blueprint on how to beat him.
“When the fight started, that’s what he did, he made him punch himself out, because that’s not how Mayweather fights.
“He’d read up on him like I read up on him. I didn’t think Conor did a good job at all.
“He’d just lost to me like that and Floyd went out here and pushed the pace and Conor took the bait.

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“Conor did that with me, that’s what first exposed him, then he did it with Mayweather.
“He tried to make it last against Khabib, he took four rounds to finish him off. Then he fought Dustin, he was dropping combinations on him but I think he was pushing the pace like he had it in the bag.
“That happens because he doesn’t want to be in there, he’s too anxious for the kill because he wants out; he should have slowed it down a little bit.”
McGregor, 32, avenged defeat to Diaz, 35, five months later in a rematch, but was stopped in round ten of his boxing debut against Mayweather, 43.
But Diaz admitted he has no interest in a trilogy with his great rival right now, instead preferring to fight Poirier, 32, at welterweight.

Conor McGregor was knocked out by Dustin PoirierCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
Poirier is coming off a knockout win against McGregor – the man he lost to in 2014 – in their lightweight headliner in January.
The UFC are now looking at a rubber match between the pair.
But Diaz slammed McGregor’s opportunity at revenge, pointing towards his three losses in the UFC.
He said: “This guy gets finished by me, finished by Khabib – the whole point of him fighting Poirier was to get a rematch against Khabib.
‘This guy gets rematches, it’s crazy. It’s time for something different. He was finished off, why should he get a rematch?”

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CONOR McGREGOR’S team-mate doubts even $50million would convince him to entertain a fight with ‘troll’ YouTuber Jake Paul.
Paul, 2-0 in his professional career which started in 2020, has continued to pursue a boxing match with McGregor and claimed to have a cheque ready to go.

UFC superstar Conor McGregor has been called out by Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty

YouTuber Jake Paul is 2-0 in his boxing careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The internet sensation, who has 20MILLION subscribers, even went after the Irishman’s fiancee Dee Devlin.
Paul’s viral goading took a turn in January after McGregor was knocked out by Dustin Poirier, and taunted that his offer now stood at just $10,000.
But Frans Mlambo, a long-time training partner of McGregor’s, reckons the original $50m still would not persuade the aspiring billionaire into the fight.
The Bellator featherweight predicts the former two-weight UFC champion would not have the patience to deal with the antics Paul brings with him.

Mlambo told SunSport: “He’s just such a troll, he gets to you.
“It’s fun for people, all the madness, he’s good at doing that stuff so fair play to him but at the same time it does not make sense for him to fight Conor.
“When I was watching all that I never usually get into it but it actually annoyed me so much that I wanted to ring Conor and say, ‘Conor, let me fight this guy’.
“For $50m I’d fight anybody, it would literally never not make sense, I’d fight Goliath. But Conor’s in a total different position.

Frans Mlambo pictured with team-mate Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

Frans Mlambo is a long-time training partner of Conor McGregor’s
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“That $50m might not be worth the effort, the rigamarole of going through the WWE-entertainment style leading up to the fight.
“I feel like if he went into the Jake Paul thing he might be looking at it as more of a show more than anything else.
“It might not even be worth the money to him, just my view knowing what I know about Conor.”
McGregor, 32, has already set his sights on a trilogy bout with Poirier, also 32, the man he first KO’d in 2014.
He too shelved a mega-money return to the ring to face Manny Pacquiao, 42, four years after losing his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather, 43.
But lacing up the gloves for Paul, 24, has never been in McGregor’s sights, barley even acknowledging him.
The American vlogger has two knockouts to his name, against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
Paul is now set to face retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, in his third pro bout, scheduled for April 17.

Jake Paul knocked out ex-NBA star Nate RobinsonCredit: AP:Associated Press

Dustin Poirier beat Conor McGregor at UFC 257Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Askren has enjoyed some back-and-forth with his rival as he prepares to come to fight in the boxing ring for the first time.
But Mlambo admitted McGregor would have no self-restraint with Paul.
And he warned for the ‘everybody’s safety’ the pair – who have vastly contrasting fighting experience – should be kept far apart from each other.
Mlambo explained: “Conor would try and make an example out of him. Conor is rich and all but he’s still one of the boys and he doesn’t take s***.
“He’s obviously grown now, he’s a father and a family man but maybe he’s staying out of the whole thing for everybody’s safety.
“He’d lose control if he went into those situations.
“If the fight actually happened and Jake Paul was talking all this garage leading up to it, it would be very dangerous Conor in that ring.
“It would make a load of other people a load of money and that’s why people will be pushing for it, but it is something that should not happen.”

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CONOR McGREGOR’S team-mate warned the UFC star might ‘lose control’ if he fought Jake Paul and make it ‘very dangerous’ for the YouTuber.
Social media sensation Paul, 2-0 as a boxer, has tirelessly chased a boxing match with former UFC champion McGregor.

Frans Mlambo pictured with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

YouTuber Jake Paul has two knockout wins to his nameCredit: Getty Images – Getty

He even claimed to have a $50million cheque waiting to go, as he also directed insults to the Irishman’s fiancee Dee Devlin.
McGregor’s training partner Frans Mlambo doubts any amount of money could convince the superstar into facing Paul.
But if he did, the internet phenomenon has been told if the foul-mouthed tirades continue, he will be made to pay for his words.
Mlambo told SunSport: “I thought the whole thing was ridiculous.

“Conor would try and make an example out of him. Conor is rich and all but he’s still one of the boys and he doesn’t take s***.
“He’s obviously grown now, he’s a father and a family man but maybe he’s staying out of the whole thing for everybody’s safety.
“He’d lose control if he went into those situations.
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“If the fight actually happened and Jake Paul was talking all this garbage leading up to it, it would be very dangerous Conor in that ring.
“It would make a load of other people a load of money and that’s why people will be pushing for it, but it is something that should not happen.”
Paul, 24, has two knockout wins to his name, but only against internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
He fights former UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, next on April 17, after goading McGregor by changing his offer to just $10,000.
The Dublin southpaw, 32, made his ring debut in 2017, losing to all-time great Floyd Mayweather, 43, banking around £100m in doing so.
But Mlambo is not confident any sum could entice aspiring billionaire McGregor into fighting viral vlogger Paul and entertaining the antics that comes with it.

Conor McGregor pictured before his UFC comeback

Jake Paul pictured after a sparring sessionCredit: Instagram / @danieltoretto
He said: “For 50million I’d fight anybody, it would literally never not make sense, I’d fight Goliath.
“But Conor’s in a total different position that $50m might not be worth the effort, the rigamarole of going through the WWE-entertainment style leading up to the fight.
“I feel like if he went into the Jake Paul thing he might be looking at it as more of a show more than anything else.
“It might not even be worth the money to him, just my view knowing what I know about Conor.”
Mlambo, a Bellator featherweight, would prefer to see his sparring partner rematch Dustin Poirier immediately.
McGregor was knocked out by Poirier at UFC 257, just under seven years after doing the same to the American.
The pair are now tied at one apiece and already talking up a trilogy.

Conor McGregor was beaten by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Conor McGregor is eyeing a trilogy against Dustin PoirierCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It has also forced McGregor to shelve his proposed mega-money boxing return against 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao.
But Mlambo has backed his Straight Blast Gym gym-mate to bounce back in the UFC before entertaining a switch to the ring again.
He explained: “The Manny Pacquiao fight is an entertaining one and I’m sure it would make more money than any UFC one.
“So in that may I’d go for it but the loss to Poirier would be eating at Conor and I reckon he’d be trying to get into the octagon straight away to mend that.

“Since there’s a loss, it wouldn’t even be a distraction it just wouldn’t make sense to do the Pacquiao fight right now.
“Think of the promotion, it would be known he’s going in to fight one of the biggest boxers on the planet and he’s coming off a bad loss.
“He should put the Manny Pacquiao thing on pause right now, go back into the cage, take out a few lads and then we can talk about that.”

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