MMA

ROY JONES JR is in talks to finally fight UFC legend Anderson Silva, with a Mike Tyson rematch also in his sights.
SunSport can reveal the pair are in early stages of negotiations, following years of missed opportunities.

Roy Jones Jr is in talks to fight Anderson SilvaCredit: Instagram / @royjonesjeofficial

UFC legend Silva has always wanted to box Jones Credit: Getty – Contributor

Silva, 45, had always wanted to fight Jones, 51, by crossing over to the boxing ring, but his UFC contract blocked the move.
But following his release from the premier MMA promotion this year, the Brazilian legend is free to make the step into the ring.
It comes after Jones came out of retirement to face heavyweight icon Mike Tyson, 54, in an eight-round exhibition bout in November.
The pair ended up with a draw, and Jones’ trainer revealed the former four-division champion will be tempted to fight again against either Silva or Tyson.

Coach Tom Yankello said: “I think that rematch and Anderson Silva are the two fights that he’s looking at. 
“Anderson Silva would be the first choice for him as he feels like he could really do what he wants with him and it would be worth his while.
“He’s been talking about fighting Anderson Silva for a long time and now he’s not in the UFC they can make that happen. 
“If that fight was presented he’d fight again. I know he’d do the Tyson fight, he said that right after, we’ve talked about it. 

“He’d definitely contemplate it anyway, in my opinion, I think he’d do it from our conversations. I could use the word ‘might’. 
“I know he’d definitely do the Anderson Silva fight if there was enough public interest that wanted to see them fight.”

Silva has boxed twice before, losing his debut in 1998 before returning in 2005 with a win, a year before signing with the UFC.
Jones only retired professionally in 2018, and insisted he would only fight on if it was against long-time rival Silva.
But the all-time American great then faced Tyson in a non-sanctioned box office spectacle two years later, which sold over 1.6million pay-per-views.
Both Jones and his cornerman feel they should have won the fight.

Jones came out of retirement to fight Mike Tyson Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Jones and Tyson boxed to a draw after eight exhibition rounds Credit: Getty Images – Getty
And after experiencing the aura of sharing the ring with Iron Mike, Yankello is adamant his man would be better prepared in a rematch.
He explained: “I think he would definitely take the Tyson fight again, we both think he could do better.  
“We know Tyson can’t do any better bar catch Roy with one shot and that’s how we felt going in. 
“I feel like this time he’d be even more confident as now he’s been in with Tyson, he knows the unknown but now he knows what to expect. 
“I don’t think Tyson can fight Roy and better than he did but Roy could have landed better and we would love that fight again.”

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FORMER UFC welterweight Ben Askren has publicly accepted an offer to box Jake Paul next year.
YouTube star Paul has been campaigning for a boxing match with several high-profile fighters following his viral KO of former NBA ace Nate Robinson.

Ben Askren is coming out of retirement to box YouTube star Jake PaulCredit: AP

Jake Paul tried to goad UFC superstar Conor McGregor into fighting himCredit: INSTAGRAM

Paul – whose elder brother Logan will box Floyd Mayweather in February – even called out former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, launching two x-rated rants at the Irishman.
McGregor ignored Paul’s attempt to goad him into a fight, a snub that has seemingly paved the way for a March showdown with Askren.
On Tuesday night, a mock-up poster of the pair started doing the rounds on Twitter and was shared by former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen.
And a few hours later, Askren – who recently branded Paul a ‘bum’ – revealed to the world he intends to lock horns with the former Disney star.

He said: “Yes, Mr Jake Paul, I do accept. I know you called me out after your last fight against the bum Nate Robinson.
“And listen, it’s a pretty simple choice. I’m going to make a whole bunch of money to beat up a guy who is pretending to be an athlete.
“Because at the end of the day, that’s what you’re doing. And I know you may think I don’t have too many stand-up skills, but also, I don’t really need to. Okay?
“I’m a world-class athlete. I’ve won NCAA titles, I’ve been to the Olympics, won belts in multiple mixed martial arts organisations.

“And quite frankly, I am impressed that you’ve deluded yourself into thinking you’re actually a fighter. That you’re really tough, that you can really box.
“It’s quite impressive that beating up a YouTuber and beating up a boxer who looked like he’d never been in the ring before makes you, somehow, good at boxing. Because it doesn’t.”
Former Olympic wrestler Askren – who is also known as ‘Funky’ – is relishing the chance to get his hands on the outspoken Paul, adding: “Jake, I accept.
“I will see you March 28 in Los Angeles. And I will humble you like millions of people want to see happen.”
According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Askren’s suggestion that a fight with Paul has been finalised is premature.
Dillon Danis – who Paul recently pelted with water balloons – and former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping are also in the mix to box the YouTuber.
Askren, 36, retired from mixed martial arts in November 2019 following consecutive losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia.
The former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champ was on the receiving end of the fastest KO in UFC history in his July 2019 loss to Masvidal, who knocked him unconscious in five seconds with a viral flying knee.

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JAKE PAUL has defended his controversial comments about Conor McGregor’s long-term partner Dee Devlin, insisting the UFC star is now “getting a taste of his own medicine.”
Paul last week made derogatory remarks about Devlin in an x-rated call-out video of the UFC’s poster boy, in which he claimed to have sent him a £37million offer to return to the boxing ring.

Jake Paul is gunning for a boxing match with UFC superstar Conor McGregor

Jake Paul recently made derogatory comments about Conor McGregor’s partner, Dee DevlinCredit: Instagram

He said: “What the f**k is up you Irish c*? Good morning Conor McGregor.
“I know you’re probably beating up old dudes in a bar right now or maybe you’re j***ing off as you’re sick of f***ing your wife.
“I mean, she’s a four [out of ten], Conor you could do a lot better, but happy Monday!”
Paul’s comments didn’t go down well with fight fans, many of whom believed the 23-year-old had crossed the line.

But the outspoken YouTuber insists McGregor’s previous comments about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s wife have made his fiancee fair game.
Paul told TMZ: “I don’t give a f**k. He (Conor McGregor) spoke on Khabib’s (Nurmagomedov) wife. He said Khabib’s wife looks like a towel.”
Former Disney star Paul believes McGregor now knows how Nurmagomedov felt, adding: “He’s getting a taste of his own medicine.
“And now all of a sudden, people are b**thurt (and saying that) I’m going too far. F**k off. This is the fight game.”

Paul has no remorse for his foul-mouthed rant and believes the crictism he’s received from McGregor fans is unwarranted.
He said: “Like why are people being b****es now all of a sudden? You know, same with Dillon Danis.
“They’ve said f***ed up s**t about religion, Khabib’s religion; F**k those guys.”
Paul – who last month scored a viral KO of ex-NBA star Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr – has been campaigning heavily for a blockbuster boxing match with McGregor.

And in an attempt to goad the UFC superstar into fighting him, Paul recently sent the Irishman an expletive message on Instagram.
McGregor has yet to respond to the direct message, but Paul has claimed his reps are now in talks with the former two-division champion’s management.
He said: “We’re talking to his team. [Conor] looked at my DM on Instagram. But, we’re talking to his team.
“When we sent them the proof of funds they like put their tail between their a**… they’re like, ‘This little crazy kid ain’t playing.”‘
McGregor, 32, is currently preparing for his rematch with Dustin Poirier, which will headline UFC 257 on January 23.

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FORMER UFC middleweight champ Michael Bisping claims to have received a lucrative offer to box Jake Paul – and is up for the fight.
YouTube star Paul has been in the headlines this week due to his relentless pursuit of a boxing match with former two-weight UFC champ Conor McGregor.

Former UFC middleweight champion has claimed to have received an offer to box Jake PaulCredit: Getty

YouTube superstar Jake Paul is aggressively pursuing a boxing match with Conor McGregor

Paul, 23, has also challenged McGregor’s team-mate Dillon Danis – who he recently pelted with water balloons – to meet him inside the ring.
McGregor has yet to respond to Paul’s barrage of call outs, a silence that appears to have prompted the outspoken YouTuber to offer Bisping a lucrative payday.
During the latest episode of his Believe You Me podcast, Bisping said: “Jake Paul, if you want to f**king go, Logan Paul, if you want to go, then I guess you have to put your hands in your pockets and man up.
“Because you’re talking s**t, you’re contacting my manager saying that you want to fight.

“Well, guess what, buddy? I’m here. I’m going nowhere. You want to fight someone? You want to test yourself? Hey, I’m 0-0 as a boxer. You’re saying you’re 1-0, you’re 2-0, I’m 0-0.
“At the end of the day, if you want to do this, stop playing games. You want to do it? I’ll do it. I’m here. No problem. Okay?”
Bisping, also known as ‘The Count’, retired from MMA two-and-a-half years ago following back-to-back losses to Georges St-Pierre and Kelvin Gastelum.
But the 41-year-old is adamant he’s still got what it takes to silence the brash Paul, who recently scored a viral KO over ex-NBA star Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.

He added: “I’m almost 42-years old, I’m a former world champion and I will take you to school, my friend.
“And I’ll guarantee you this. You won’t get out of three rounds. That’s an absolute fact.
“You won’t get out of one round but we’ll say three just to give you that little insurance blanket.
“If this is a real offer, let me know and we’ll do it. 100 per cent. Logan Paul or Jake Paul, or both.”

Bisping was from impressed by Paul’s performance in his second pro fight, saying: “In my research and infinite wisdom of the fight game and after my extensive enquiries, I figured out his a bum and he’d be very easy to beat.
“But that said, he’s does have power, he is athletic, he is young. These are good things to have in the fight game.”
Bisping’s comments soon came to the attention of Paul, who proceeded to mock the Brit for his UFC 100 loss to Dan Henderson.
Alongside the infamous picture of Henderson flying through the air to land a strike on the unconscious Bisping, Paul tweeted: “@bisping my team is working on a melatonin brand deal for you and Nate [Diaz].”

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FORMER UFC middleweight Yoel Romero has called out Jake Paul, challenging the YouTuber to try and retire him.
Ex-Disney star Paul has been in the headlines ever since his brutal second-round KO victory over Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr.

Yoel Romero has called out YouTube star Jake PaulCredit: Getty

Jake Paul recently called out former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor

Paul – the younger brother of fellow YouTube star Logan – has called out several high-profile fighters since the win, most notably former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor.
McGregor has yet to respond to the 23-year-old’s call-outs or the direct message he received from him on Instagram.
Paul’s brashness over the last few weeks hasn’t gone unnoticed by Romero, who was recently released from the UFC.
And the Bellator new-boy has issued a message to ‘The Problem Child’.

During an Instagram Live broadcast, the Cuban said: “I think this guy; he’s talking a lot. He’s a YouTuber guy. I am old, but I have experience. Maybe he’s training good and maybe he can beat me.
“Maybe he can retire me. You know? Maybe. But he needs to try.”
Romero, like many others, believes Paul – who only has two professional boxing matches to his name – is running his mouth.
The 43-year-old added: “He’s talking too much. No running like Izzy (Israel Adesanya) come to me and fight with me.

“And now that people can see you the best. You can do everything what you say, John Paul (Jake Paul).”
Romero finished the call-out with his signature catchphrase, saying: You know what? I love you, see you soon, John Paul (Jake Paul), see you soon.”
If Romero is indeed eager to face Paul, he’ll face an uphill task to land the fight as the YouTuber’s sights are firmly set on a lucrative clash with McGregor.
Paul launched a blistering rant at The Notorious earlier this week, claiming to have sent the Irishman a £37million (£50m) offer and making derogatory comments about his wife.

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He said: “What the f**k is up you Irish c**t? Good morning Conor McGregor.
“I know you’re probably beating up old dudes in a bar right now or maybe you’re j***ing off as you’re sick of f***ing your wife, I mean, she’s a four [out of ten], Conor you could do a lot better, but happy Monday!
“My team sent you a $50 million offer this morning, $50 million cash, proof of funds, the biggest fight offer you’ve ever been offered.
“But you’re scared to fight me Conor. You duck me as you’re scared to fight a YouTuber.

“You’re 0-1 as a boxer, I’m 2-0 as a boxer. I just came off the eighth biggest pay-per-view event in history.
“But you want to fight Dustin Poirier, who has less followers on Instagram than my f***ing dog, that’s a fact. And Dana White, you’re a f***ing pussy, you ugly f***ing bald bitch.
“You said there’s zero per cent chance of this fight happening but there’s zero percent of you getting some p****.
“Conor, you’re scared, Dana, you’re scared. Sign the f***ing contract you idiots. Irish b***h, f**k these guys.”

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FORMER UFC middleweight champ Michael Bisping claims to have received a lucrative offer to box Jake Paul – and is up for the fight.
YouTube star Paul has been in the headlines this week due to his relentless pursuit of a boxing match with former two-weight UFC champ Conor McGregor.

Former UFC middleweight champion has claimed to have received an offer to box Jake PaulCredit: Getty

YouTube superstar Jake Paul is aggressively pursuing a boxing match with Conor McGregor

Paul, 23, has also challenged McGregor’s team-mate Dillon Danis – who he recently pelted with water balloons – to meet him inside the ring.
McGregor has yet to respond to Paul’s barrage of call outs, a silence that appears to have prompted the outspoken YouTuber to offer Bisping a lucrative payday.
During the latest episode of his Believe You Me podcast, Bisping said: “Jake Paul, if you want to f**king go, Logan Paul, if you want to go, then I guess you have to put your hands in your pockets and man up.
“Because you’re talking s**t, you’re contacting my manager saying that you want to fight.

“Well, guess what, buddy? I’m here. I’m going nowhere. You want to fight someone? You want to test yourself? Hey, I’m 0-0 as a boxer. You’re saying you’re 1-0, you’re 2-0, I’m 0-0.
“At the end of the day, if you want to do this, stop playing games. You want to do it? I’ll do it. I’m here. No problem. Okay?”
Bisping, also known as ‘The Count’, retired from MMA two-and-a-half years ago following back-to-back losses to Georges St-Pierre and Kelvin Gastelum.
But the 41-year-old is adamant he’s still got what it takes to silence the brash Paul, who recently scored a viral KO over ex-NBA star Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.

He added: “I’m almost 42-years old, I’m a former world champion and I will take you to school, my friend.
“And I’ll guarantee you this. You won’t get out of three rounds. That’s an absolute fact.
“You won’t get out of one round but we’ll say three just to give you that little insurance blanket.
“If this is a real offer, let me know and we’ll do it. 100 per cent. Logan Paul or Jake Paul, or both.”

Bisping was from impressed by Paul’s performance in his second pro fight, saying: “In my research and infinite wisdom of the fight game and after my extensive enquiries, I figured out his a bum and he’d be very easy to beat.
“But that said, he’s does have power, he is athletic, he is young. These are good things to have in the fight game.”
Bisping’s comments soon came to the attention of Paul, who proceeded to mock the Brit for his UFC 100 loss to Dan Henderson.
Alongside the infamous picture of Henderson flying through the air to land a strike on the unconscious Bisping, Paul tweeted: “@bisping my team is working on a melatonin brand deal for you and Nate [Diaz].”

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