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      Jake Paul issues update on MMA debut fight and lists FOUR names on his radar including two boxing rivals

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      JAKE PAUL is still on the search to find his first opponent in MMA – and could turn to some familiar boxing faces. Paul is 10-1 in the ring but signed with the Professional Fighters League to make his cage debut. Jake Paul is still on the search to find his first opponent in MMAThe YouTuber-turned-prizefighter and PFL are still combing through their options having been ready to offer £10million to Nate Diaz. Paul said: “Just about finding the name. We have the money, we’re ready to go. We’re ready to make offers to people.”It’s just like they have to be able to draw sales and it has to be a fight where it’s like this is my first MMA fight.”So I think I could beat Nate Diaz in my first MMA fight. It would be tough of course, 50/50 fight. READ MORE IN BOXING”But I don’t wanna go into something where I’m gonna be outclassed, like fighting Khabib in my first MMA fight.”Paul, 27, beat ex-UFC star Diaz, 39, in their 2023 boxing bout but his calls to rematch in MMA have been snubbed. So he could instead turn to Jorge Masvidal, 39, or even former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 42, who he twice beat in boxing. Paul said: “Nate Diaz, Masvidal, I would face in MMA and then I don’t even know like who else is out there that would that would make sense really.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Tyron would be interesting for sure. I think that could be like a good plan. That would go crazy.”Paul suffered defeat for the first time last year by losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia. Jake Paul rubs salt into ‘dumbass’ Tommy Fury’s wounds as he offers Molly-Mae a JOB after boxing rival’s shock break-upHe is desperate to avenge the result and even put up a £20m package to fight Fury, 25, in both boxing and MMA. Paul revealed: “I think that’s actually still a discussion. So that could be interesting for sure. Me versus Tommy in MMA.”The American returns to the ring on November 15 in a controversial clash against boxing icon Mike Tyson, 58. So it leaves Paul’s MMA debut delayed even further despite building a custom ring in his Puerto Rico gym. He admitted: “I haven’t started training, just the boxing takes up so much of my time and that’s what I’m focused on and until an MMA fight comes up.”That’s when I’ll focus on it and I’ll probably need like an eight-month camp if I do an MMA fight just the eight months to do jiu-jitsu, kicking all that stuff.”The YouTuber-turned-boxer is signed to the PFLCredit: Professional Fighters LeagueJake Paul wants to rematch Tommy FuryCredit: GettyTyron Woodley twice lost to Jake PaulCredit: SHOWTIMEJorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz have also been called out by Jake PaulCredit: Getty More

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      Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury brutally warned off career switch by man who has fought BOTH with boxing fight predicted

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU warned rivals Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury against making an MMA switch – while predicting their boxing fight.Ngannou put his cage career on hold to cross over to boxing for a pair of bouts against AJ and Fury. Tyson Fury controversially beat Francis NgannouCredit: ReutersNgannou was knocked out by Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyHe was firstly beaten via controversial decision to Fury, 36, despite dropping the former WBC champion last October. Ngannou, 37, was then brutally knocked out by Joshua, 34, in March and now returns to MMA after two boxing bouts. AJ and Fury are still yet to resolve their blockbuster British feud in the ring as they head towards separate bouts. Joshua faces Daniel Dubois on September 21 for the IBF title while Oleksandr Usyk rematches Fury on December 21 after his May victory.READ MORE IN BOXINGThere is hope after that the long-awaited Battle of Britain between AJ and the Gypsy King can finally be made and Ngannou – having shared the ring with both men – cannot split them.He said: “Two different styles. Everybody tries to win, I’d give it 50-50 just for that fight.” What Ngannou is certain about, though, is that neither boxing star should ever trade the ring for the cage. He said: “They don’t want that smoke. Nobody wants that. I mean, I wouldn’t want it either, I don’t blame them.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”There is a lot of elements in MMA that’s way complicated for a boxer to cross over than for an MMA fighter to cross over to boxing.”I’d need to see them do some practise.Jake Paul left ‘s—ing himself’ after being forced to separate giants Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira ahead of MMA clash”Maybe some of them have a wrestling skill that you don’t know or a grappling skill that you don’t know. You’d need to see.”Ngannou makes his MMA return after two years out the cage on October 19 in Saudi Arabia against 6ft 8in Renan Ferreira in his Professional Fighters League debut. More

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      Inside Mike Tyson’s training for Jake Paul fight as boxing icon’s ex-protege Francis Ngannou warns he’ll ‘beat his ass’

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU warned Jake Paul that former mentor Mike Tyson is about to “beat his ass.” YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul faces heavyweight boxing royalty Tyson on November 15 in Texas. Mike Tyson with former protege Francis NgannouCredit: AFPMike Tyson facing off with Jake PaulCredit: RexIron Mike spent time last year helping Ngannou bridge the gap from MMA to boxing ahead of his ring debut against Tyson Fury. And he got an inside look into Tyson and backed the American great to make easy work of Paul – who is over 30 years younger. Ngannou said: “I think Tyson will still beat his ass up. “He’s definitely not as he was when he was young but when he moves around you and shows you something, you’re like, ‘What the hell is this?’READ MORE IN BOXING”That’s something that people don’t understand about Mike Tyson. He moves from your left to your right in the blink of an eye.”Tyson, 58, was due to face Paul, 27, on July 20 but he was forced to pull out amid a health precaution after a stomach ulcer flared up. Now he is preparing for his first professionally sanctioned bout since 2005, despite an exhibition comeback in 2020 against Roy Jones Jr. Tyson was in the gym with Ngannou, 37, last year before the crossover boxing clash against Fury, 36. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe ex-UFC champion scored a stunning knockdown – only to lose a controversial decision. He was then knocked out by Anthony Joshua, 34, in March and now returns to MMA on October 19. Jake Paul left ‘s—ing himself’ after being forced to separate giants Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira ahead of MMA clashNgannou faces 6ft 8in Brazilian Renan Ferreia, 37, in Saudi Arabia in his first MMA fight back since 2022. Paul hosted the Professional Fighters League press conference and had the terrifying job of facing off the giant heavyweight pair. But Ngannou hardly noticed. He said: “Jake Paul is not our weight class, we barely noticed that he was there! Other than the moment I walked in and shook his hand.”But face-to-face to each other, when I looked into his eyes when I was looking up, I did not see Jake Paul at all. He wasn’t in my line.”Francis Ngannou in between Jake Paul and Renan Ferreira More

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      How Jake Paul could be part of never-before-seen mixed-rules MMA fight against the likes of boxing star Deontay Wilder

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      JAKE PAUL could feature in a never-before-seen mixed-rules MMA fight – against the likes of Deontay Wilder. Paul is signed to the Professional Fighters League where he is set to make his cage debut in 2025. Jake Paul could feature in a never-before-seen mixed-rules MMA fightCredit: RexDeontay Wilder was linked with an MMA switchCredit: GettyThe PFL have talked up staging hybrid-rules fights in the cage in a bid to bridge the gap between boxing and MMA. And with 10-1 boxer Paul closing in on a first fight in the cage – it could come under the all-new umbrella of bouts. PFL CEO Peter Murray told SunSport: “It could be modified rules. We really haven’t talked about nailing down the specifics of a tweaked ruleset. “We’re first focused on the opponent and more to come on those details when Jake is ready.READ MORE IN MMA”Listen, I love hybrid rules. It just makes it interesting and fighters want to use all their weapons. “But, given skill sets and we can have some fun with it.” Wilder, 38, was touted as a potential boxing star to cross over to the cage with talks to fight Francis Ngannou, 37, under hybrid rules. Instead, Ngannou went onto fight Tyson Fury, 36, losing a controversial decision before being KOd by Anthony Joshua, 34. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMeanwhile Wilder also took two fights in Saudi Arabia, losing to Jospeh Parker, 32, and being knocked out by Zhilei Zhang, 41. But the PFL are not ruling out making a move for former the WBC boxing champ or doing so with customised rules.Meanwhile Paul’s list of potential MMA opponents continue to grow as he prepares to fight boxing icon Mike Tyson, 58, on November 15. PFL’s Murray added: “I’d like to see Deontay in the cage and that’ll be exciting. “But, there’s a list and more to come. You’ll be hearing from Jake in the PFL soon.” More

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      Jake Paul ‘s***ing himself’ after being forced to separate giants Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira ahead of MMA clash

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      JAKE PAUL was “s****ing himself” after being forced to separate giants Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira. Ngannou – who stands 6ft 4in – makes his MMA return after two years out the cage on October 19 against 6ft 8in Ferreira. Francis Ngannou separated by Jake Paul ahead of Renan Ferreira fightJake Paul looked on terrifiedAnd YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul had the terrifying task of keeping the peace when the two came together to face off. A close up angle of the stare down revealed his frightened face as one fan said: “Jake Paul is shaking in his boots.”Another joked: “Jake Paul was s****ing himself while Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira faced off.”Paul himself responded: “Can confirm I s***.”READ MORE IN MMANgannou, 37, walked out on the UFC to pursue a lucrative switch to boxing while signing for the Professional Fighters League. He faced Tyson Fury in his ring debut and sensationally dropped the ex-world champion before losing a controversial decision. Ngannou then faced Anthony Joshua in March but was brutally knocked out in two rounds.He now returns to MMA to face Ferreira, 37, in his PFL debut as Paul emerged unscathed from their stare-down.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd Paul said: “I’m not going to lie, I wouldn’t have done anything if they started fighting. “I was trying to hold them back but it wasn’t doing anything. They’re very, very, very strong.” Paul is signed to the PFL to make his MMA debut but first returns to fight boxing icon Mike Tyson, 58, on November 15. Francis Ngannou open to Tyson Fury rematch after controversial loss despite huge MMA return to fight 6ft 8in rival More

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      From boxing champion to UFC stars and bitter rivals, Jake Paul’s five-man hit-list of opponents after Mike Tyson fight

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      JAKE PAUL has a list of five star-studded names to fight after his controversial clash against Mike Tyson. The YouTuber-turned-boxer welcomes heavyweight boxing icon Tyson back to the ring on November 15 in Texas.They were initially scheduled to fight on July 20 but 58-year-old Iron Mike was forced out amid a health precaution. Paul, 27, instead stopped replacement opponent Mike Perry, 32, in six rounds after three knockdowns. It was the latest name ticked off the American’s hit-list but there remains a few more in his sights. Paul said on the Nelk Boys podcast: “[Alex] Pereira, [Conor] McGregor, Canelo, KSI, Tommy Fury.” READ MORE IN BOXINGUFC light-heavyweight champion Pereira, 37, was a shock name Paul called out after beating Perry. He is a former kickboxing champ and two-division title holder in the UFC who has teased a move into boxing before. McGregor, 36, has been a long-time target of Paul’s but the Irishman still has two bouts left on his current UFC contract. He was given special permission to face Floyd Mayweather, 47, in 2017 but the UFC deemed it a one-time exemption. Most read in SportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCanelo, 34, meanwhile is boxing’s top pay-per-view attraction and has refused to rule out a fight with Paul in the past. Fury, 25, is the only man to beat Paul following their February 2023 grudge match in Saudi Arabia. Jake Paul announces shock plans to enter 2028 Olympics in LAAnd the defeated American has called for a rematch ever since. KSI, 31, is by far Paul’s greatest rival dating back to the British celebrity’s win over his older brother Logan, 29, in 2019. But a disagreement in weight has seen talks collapse in recent years. Paul’s last three fights have been at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb while he prepares to move up to heavyweight to face Tyson. KSI on the other hand last boxed at 183lb the night he was controversially beaten by Fury. And Paul admitted: “It’s honestly the difficulty in figuring out the weight, the original deal was 185 but we’re both way over that. READ MORE SUN STORIES”He’s walking around at 205 and I’m at 212, the lowest I could go to now would be 195, and that would be difficult. “So, it’s about figuring that out. He can have anything he wants, the fight’s going to be in London, I just need him to compromise on the weight.” KSI and Jake Paul clashing in the ring in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Tom Aspinall copying Tyson Fury’s bizarre and dangerous pre-fight tactic to secure huge KO win at UFC 304

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      TOM ASPINALL has revealed he’s using a bizarre pre-fight strategy ahead of UFC 304.The Atherton assassin defends his interim heavyweight title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event of the Manchester pay-per-view card early on Sunday morning.Tom Aspinall renews his rivalry with Curtis Blaydes this weekendCredit: REXAspinall is eyeing revenge in the form of a big finish after suffering a horror knee injury in their first meeting two years agoCredit: ReutersAspinall has harked back to his traveller heritage by dipping his hands in petrol to strengthen themCredit: X@ARIELHELWANIAspinall, 31, will be out for revenge having suffered a horror knee injury in their first meeting two years ago and is eyeing yet another stoppage win.And he’s harked back to his gypsy heritage ahead of the Manchester melee by dipping his hands in petrol every night to strengthen them.During an appearance on The MMA Hour, he said: “You ever see the documentary Knuckle? You familiar with that?”It’s a documentary about travellers, travelling communities in the UK, Ireland.READ MORE ON UFC 304“And there’s a guy on there, big Joe Joyce, an old travelling legend, and big Joe Joyce reveals a few gypsy methods for getting ready for a fight.“I wanted to resort back to a bit of gypsy heritage that I’ve got, so I thought, right, what I’m going to do is I’m going to make a little ring out of hay bales.“When it gets to about 4am, I get my alarm on, I go outside, do a bit shadowboxing in the hay bales.“And then I do the old traveller method of dipping your knuckles in petrol for about 20 minutes as the sun’s coming up, and that hardens your knuckles.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTyson Fury dipped his hands in petrol ahead of his rematch with Deontay WilderCredit: GETTYMany boxers in the traveller community still, to this day, soak their hands in petrol ahead of fights, including former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.The Gypsy King soaked his hands in fuel every day for the final few weeks of training camp for his 2020 rematch with Deontay Wilder, which he won via seventh-round TKO.EXCLUSIVE: ‘Great fight – Tom Aspinall reveals reason for Alex Pereira post after UFC 300 and admits he’d love to fight BrazilianThere are obvious health concerns with leaving one’s hands in a flammable and deadly liquid for prolonged periods of time, although Aspinall isn’t fussed about them.Britain’s third UFC champ said of his hands: Mate, they’re like absolute stones. “You know what, I’ve seen them new gloves, and they’re a lot smaller than the other ones. There’s a lot less padding on them.“And I just thought, you know what, I need to harden the knuckles up, and that’s the only way I know how.”I’ve been doing the old gypsy method of dipping them in petrol, and they’re like rocks.”If I get a disgusting knockout on Saturday, you better believe that half of the roster are going to be dipping their knuckles in petrol.” More

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      Manny Pacquiao’s opponent risks £3.9MILLION fine during fight against boxing legend

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      MANNY PACQUIAO is in line for a £3.9MILLION payout in his boxing return – should his opponent break the rules.The Filipino icon makes his return to the ring over the weekend in Tokyo with Japanese MMA promotion Rizin. Manny Pacquiao in training for his exhibition boxing returnCredit: @MannyPacquiaoK-1 Kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo will face PacquiaoCredit: @anpo_rukiyaPacquiao, 45, will face former K-1 Kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo, 28, in a strictly boxing rules bout. Floyd Mayweather, 47, similarly had two exhibitions with Rizin against martial artists and won both by knockout. In 2018, he beat kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 25, and the contract included a financial penalty for using any illegal strikes. And the same clause is included in Pacquiao and Anpo’s deal – with a kick resulting in a $5m (£3.9m) penalty. READ MORE IN BOXINGRizin president Nobuyuki Sakakibara confirmed the rules in quotes translated by Beyond Kickboxing.Sakakibara said: “Any violation will be punishable by a $5million fine. “At the time of Tenshin versus Mayweather in 2018 that was approximately 500million yen (£2.5m). “However, due to the weak yen, that figure is now around 750million yen.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPacquiao retired in 2021 following defeat to Yordenis Ugas but he has boxed in an exhibition since with the view to make a comeback.He has been linked with fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 36, and unbeaten British boxer Conor Benn, 27. But more recently, the WBC confirmed they would sanction PacMan coming out of retirement to fight world champion Mario Barrios, 29. Talks are ongoing with Pacquiao using his Far East exhibition as a way to prepare for his controversial yet potential welterweight title shot. More