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    Jake Paul will NOT make MMA switch because YouTuber-turned-boxer is a ‘smart businessman’, says ex-UFC champ Cormier

    JAKE PAUL won’t set foot inside the UFC octagon because he’s ‘found his lane’ boxing mixed martial arts fighters.The YouTuber turned boxer began teasing a move to the MMA world before his viral KO of Tyron Woodley last December and has continued to flirt with the prospect of entering the cage.
    Jake Paul has been teasing a switch to mixed martial arts for several monthsCredit: GETTY
    Paul has been badgering UFC boss Dana White to allow him to fight in the promotionCredit: TWITTER
    But former two-division champion Daniel Cormier doesn’t foresee the Problem Child fighting in the cageCredit: Reuters
    Paul has been badgering UFC president Dana White to let him set foot inside the octagon, but former two-division champ Daniel Cormier doesn’t think he’s serious about competing in the sport.
    Monster Energy ambassador Cormier said: “I don’t think he’s going to fight MMA, right?
    “He’s found his lane with mixed martial arts athletes in boxing. Against guys that don’t present as much of a challenge to him.
    “He’s making a lot of money, fighting safe fights, and I don’t see why he would change it.
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    “You know, the one thing the kid is, is a smart businessman.
    “And I don’t think him being a smart businessman will allow for him to go into an arena where he doesn’t really have a chance.
    “Now, he’s a high school wrestler. Right.
    “So he’s wrestled in his life before, but the level now is so high, that he would find some real problems.”
    Paul is fixated on landing a blockbuster showdown with UFC superstar Conor McGregor and recently tweeted White: “Dana — since you like me now, how about a 1-fight deal to fight Conor.
    “If I win, you agree to my UFC fighter pay and healthcare proposal.
    “If I lose, I donate my entire purse to all UFC fighters who make less than [$50,000] a fight and never mention UFC again. Deal?”
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    Paul’s constant badgering of White prompted the MMA mogul to offer him the chance to compete in MMA’s premier promotion.
    White revealed to Sky Sports: “I made an offer to him.
    “He was talking s**t. I made an offer to him and, obviously, he didn’t want to do it. So it’s all good.
    “There’s always going to be a market for what he does. For what he’s got going on, there’s going to be a market for that.
    “This just isn’t the place.”
    Paul, 25, hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his sixth-round KO of Woodley but is seemingly eyeing a September return to action.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The 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    Monster Energy’s new series ‘All On The Line’ also heroes Rose Namajunas and Daniel Cormier. Between them, the three athletes have been at the centre of some of the most explosive UFC moments that transcended the sport and made headlines around the world.
    Monster Energy is offering fans the chance to win a trip to UFC Fight Week in Las Vegas in July 2022. To find out more and to enter, head to www.monsterenergy.com/ufcgb22
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    ‘We live and breathe the fight game’ – Anthony Joshua joined by Dereck Chisora and Co in front row for UFC London

    ANTHONY JOSHUA was front and centre for the UFC’s long-awaited return to London – which he took in with promoter Eddie Hearn.The former unified heavyweight champ was cageside at the O2 for a spectacular night of fights – which provided some stunning and historic finishes.
    Anthony Joshua was cageside for the UFC’s spectacular return to London on SaturdayCredit: PA
    AJ was in attendance with Frazer Clarke, Derek Chisora, promoter Eddie Hearn and Dana WhiteCredit: TWITTER@ANTHONYJOSHUA
    Joshua and Chisora enjoyed a good chat with UFC president Dana WhiteCredit: TWITTER@DERECKWARCHISORA
    Derek Chisora and Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke were also in attendance with AJ.
    Joshua, 32, shared a snap of the trio with UFC president Dana White with his 13.5million Instagram followers.
    The accompanying caption read: “We Live & Breathe The Fight Game.”
    Joshua’s legion of followers were quick to comment, with one saying: “Big picture that!”
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MORE.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-h98a3b{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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    Another said: “Baddest boyband ever!”
    UFC supremo White commented himself, leaving two fist emojis in the comments section.
    According to White, Joshua, Hearn, Chisora and Clarke were left in awe by the insane card.
    He said: “They were all blown away. They were like, ‘This is our first MMA fight, this is incredible.’ They had a blast.
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    “If you don’t understand MMA or you don’t understand whatever, if you sat in that crowd tonight and didn’t have the best time of your life, you’re f***ing dead, probably.
    “I don’t even know what to say. I do this every weekend and I had the best time ever tonight.
    “People were hitting me up from the States saying, ‘This feels like a huge pay-per-view.'”
    Joshua is currently in limbo as his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is hanging in the balance due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    Unified heavyweight king Usyk is currently on the frontline defending his homeland from Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}MURDER PROBE .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Boyfriend of student, 19, who died from injuries at uni halls arrested
    Hearn has revealed AJ could take an interim fight while Usyk battles the Russians.
    And Joshua recently teased an imminent announcement over his next fight, tweeting earlier this week: “Announcement soon come.”
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    Conor McGregor sent murder threat by Kamaru Usman after Notorious reveals he’s ‘eyeballing’ his 170lb title for comeback

    CONOR McGREGOR has been sent a “murder” threat by Kamaru Usman after he revealed he wants to fight the Nigerian for the UFC welterweight title.McGregor, 33, has not fought since he broke his leg in the defeat to Dustin Poirier last July.
    McGregor has said he wants to come back at welterweight to face UsmanCredit: PA
    Usman has established himself as the dominant welterweight in the UFCCredit: Getty
    He recently stated he is looking to return at 170lbs and wants to face champion Usman in his comeback fight.
    And Usman has now hit back at those comments with a sharp, vicious response.
    He tweeted: “You guys want a murder scene in the octagon.”
    Usman is widely regarded as one of the pound-for-pound best UFC fighters in the world.
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    He has already defended his belt twice against Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, while also picking up a win over Gilbert Burns.
    And a McGregor fight seems particularly unlikely, especially given Usman is now set to take on Briton Leon Edwards next.
    But that has not deterred the Irishman who has fought at 170lbs on three occasions – in wins over Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone and in defeat to Diaz.
    He told the Mac Life YouTube channel: “I believe versus Usman for the 170lb title for my comeback is the one I’m eyeballing at the minute.
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    “I haven’t really said that to no one to be honest, I’ve only been thinking that for the last couple of days because for what cut the weight? I’ve already won the 155lb title, I got myself down to a lightweight frame, but I’m big now.
    “I feel big, I feel strong, I feel healthy, I’ve got good energy. I’m coming back after a gruesome injury. I do not want to deplete myself, there should be no need to deplete myself.
    “And I feel confident against Usman. A jab happy, sloppy, orthodox wrestler with no submissions whatsoever. What’s he going to do? Where’s the danger here? I don’t see a danger with him.
    “His ground-and-pound isn’t strong, plus he’s on the older side. And then plus the world is to be took again. The triple crown.
    “No one’s ever obtained three knockouts in three weight divisions moving up like I have already, but no one’s ever obtained three UFC world titles cross three divisions like I will do also if we make this fight.” More

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    Tyson Fury may ‘stick around’ to face Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk or UFC’s Francis Ngannou despite retirement claim

    TYSON FURY could still be convinced to ‘stick around’ after fighting Dillian Whyte – despite his retirement claim. The Gypsy King defends his WBC crown on April 23 against mandatory challenger Whyte at Wembley.
    Tyson Fury claimed he will retire after fighting Dillian WhyteCredit: AFP
    Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in SeptemberCredit: Getty
    He had promised to wipe the floor with his long-time rival before making a clean sweep of the heavyweight titles.
    But Fury soon backtracked on plans to become undisputed champion after announcing he will walk away after his UK homecoming.
    Despite the warning, even his US promoter Bob Arum cast doubt over the decision, so long as massive fights are still on the market.
    Arum told FightHub: “He can say things and he says them sincerely and he believes them for the moment, but he’s not signing a contract that it’s his last fight
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    “I think on second thoughts when he sees what’s out there – like maybe an Anthony Joshua fight or an Oleksandr Usyk fight – he might stick around.
    “He’s not gonna stick around to fight a secondary opponent.
    “If there’s another big fight for him, he will in my opinion, without question, take that fight.
    “But if there isn’t, he’s not looking to spend time training and so forth to do a secondary fight.
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    CHELTENHAM FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – ALL THE LATEST DEALS FOR THE RACING THIS WEEK
    “Because at this point he has plenty of money and he wants to enjoy life – his family, his wife and six kids.”
    The heavyweight picture still remains murky, with Joshua’s rematch with Usyk set to be postponed.
    Usyk, 35, who beat AJ in September, has bravely taken up arms to defend Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion.
    Joshua, 32, is instead lined up with an interim bout in the summer.
    Fury has confirmed retirement or not, he will still try to fight UFC champ Francis Ngannou, 35, in 2023.
    Ngannou is prohibited from competing outside of the UFC but his contract is set to expire this year.
    It leaves Hall of Fame promoter Arum ready to finalise a mega-money crossover fight.
    He said: “I think absolutely we want that to happen. Yeah, why not? That would be a great thing to happen.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}FERRY FALLOUT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Huge queues at ports after ‘appalling’ P&O sacks 800 staff and axes routes
    “I think the MMA guy has an ACL that’s been operated on so he’ll be ready next year and that fight would do absolutely tremendous business.
    “If he has a contract still with the UFC – which I don’t know whether he does or doesn’t – to do it in conjunction with Dana White would add to the drama and the momentum of that fight.
    “It would do record numbers.”

    UFC heavyweight champion Francis NgannouCredit: Getty More

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    UFC boss Dana White says Jake Paul isn’t ‘remotely close’ to Conor McGregor’s weight and should call out Israel Adesanya

    DANA WHITE said Jake Paul is not ‘even remotely close’ to Conor McGregor’s fighting weight. YouTuber-turned boxer has kickstarted his latest pursuit of facing McGregor after almost two years of callouts.
    UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and Jake PaulCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
    Conor McGregor has been called out by Jake PaulCredit: @TheNotoriousMMA

    But the American is now even willing to fight his Irish rival in MMA and claimed he would drop from 190lb (13st 5lb) to 175lb (12st 5lb) to do so.
    McGregor has never campaigned any higher than welterweight in the UFC – the 170lb (12st 1lb) division White believes Paul is unable to make.
    And he questioned why the 5-0 boxer is not challenging bigger men – like 13st 2lb UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, 32.
    White told ESPN: “That kid couldn’t even make 170, that’s how big he is. I mean he’s calling out these guys.
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    “Do you want to see that fight? Then why are you even asking me? Why are we even talking about this?
    “They’re not even remotely close to being in the same weight class. Not even remotely close.
    “I mean, this kid’s 6’1, 210, Conor McGregor’s 155lb.”
    White quipped: “Why isn’t he calling out Israel Adesanya? I know, I know and you know, everybody else knows and he knows, too.”
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    McGregor, 33, has boxed only once professionally before in a 2017 loss to boxing icon Floyd Mayweather, 44.
    Meanwhile Paul is 5-0 as a boxer, with four knockouts since his January 2020 debut.
    He has wins over online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, as well as ex-UFC pair Ben Askren, 37, and Tyron Woodley, 39.
    Paul first beat Woodley on points in August before winning their rematch four months on by brutal knockout.
    He has called out McGregor to fight in both boxing or MMA – but admitted a win in the octagon would be mean that much more.
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    Paul told SunSport: “If you took a poll on us boxing, I bet the vast majority would have me beating him.
    “And if you took a poll on us in a MMA fight, fans will say Conor is winning that.
    “So of course it would be sweeter to knock out his veneers out in MMA.” More

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    ‘The whole boxing vs MMA thing is silly’ – UFC boss Dana White slams ‘stupid’ Canelo Alvarez and Kamaru Usman fight

    DANA WHITE slammed the ‘stupid’ idea of Kamaru Usman fighting Canelo Alvarez – urging boxing and MMA to stay separate. Usman has long called out the Mexican boxing icon, who is the sport’s current pound-for-pound best.
    Kamaru Usman pictured with UFC president Dana WhiteCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    Canelo Alvarez has been called out by Kamaru UsmanCredit: Getty
    But UFC stars are prohibited from competing outside of the promotion unless given special exemption.
    In 2017, Conor McGregor, 33, was allowed to do so to fight boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, 45, but lost in ten rounds.
    Usman, 34, eyes a similar bout with Canelo, 31, and called on UFC president White to get behind it.
    But unfortunately for the UFC welterweight champion, his boss is refusing to play ball.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}KAM AND GET IT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}UFC champ Usman wants to beat Canelo and become the ‘Face of the Fight Game’
    White told Sky Sports: “I don’t like that fight at all.
    “Everything about it is horrible. Usman is not a boxer. Canelo is probably the best guy out there right now.
    “It’s a stupid fight that makes no sense.”
    White still faces a similar situation with his UFC title holder Francis Ngannou, 34, calling out boxing’s Tyson Fury, 33.
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    And he doubts the public demand would be high for Canelo to welcome Usman into the ring.
    White said: “I don’t even know how many people would be interested in seeing that.
    “It’s like when Conor and Floyd fought, it sort of took on a life of its own. They talk about Tyson Fury and Francis, too.
    “What do you think’s going to happen in those fights? Those guys are the best in the world at boxing.”
    McGregor was beaten in ten rounds by Mayweather but the fight delivered commercially, selling 4.4million US pay-per-views.
    It leaves White unable to completely rule out another crossover clash, even if he fails to see the sense in it.
    He added: “Who knows. Something could come along down the line but the whole boxing versus MMA thing is silly.” More

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    Jake Paul predicts UFC fight with Conor McGregor at Wembley would sell 4m PPV buys and vows to ‘knock out his veneers’

    JAKE PAUL predicts a UFC fight with Conor McGregor sells 4MILLION pay-per-views – and packs out Wembley Stadium. The YouTuber has spent almost all of his boxing career trying to prize and goad McGregor into the ring.
    Jake Paul predicts a UFC fight with Conor McGregor sells 4m PPVsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Conor McGregor has been called out by Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    But Paul has now offered to play the Irishman at his own game and called on Dana White to give him a one-fight UFC deal to make it happen.
    Not only is he willing to enter McGregor’s world, the American is even prepared to go behind enemy lines at Dublin’s Croke Park.
    And he claimed the fight is a record-breaker in the making, capable of filling out the biggest stadiums in the world.
    In an exclusive interview, Paul told SunSport: “Over three million buys in the US, 500,000 in the UK, 300,000 in Australia, 4+million globally.”
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}PAUL OR NOTHING .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Jake Paul vows to give ENTIRE purse to UFC stars if he loses to McGregor
    The UFC’s biggest ever fight was McGregor’s 2018 loss to bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, 33, selling 2.4m PPVs.
    Floyd Mayweather, 45, holds the overall record for his 2015 decision over Manny Pacquiao, 43, which drew 4.6m US PPV buys.
    But for Paul to switch the ring for the cage, he has made his demands known.
    That includes donating his ENTIRE purse to all UFC stars who make less than $50,000 per fight if he loses.
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    CHELTENHAM FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – ALL THE LATEST DEALS FOR THE RACING THIS WEEK
    But if Paul upsets the odds and beats McGregor, he wants UFC president White to introduce a healthcare scheme and take minimum fight purses from $12k to $50k.
    It leaves him taunting that UFC stars would be quietly supporting him against the sport’s most famous superstar.
    Paul said: “Biggest MMA fight ever. Me entering a new sport at the highest level will peak the interest of young and old, particularly if we have fighter compensation and healthcare on the line!
    “Imagine the entire UFC roster would be shouting about this fight. Secretly hoping I win so they can get better treatment from UFC.
    “Two of the biggest names in sport, MMA + boxing, with the reach of ESPN plus Dana in the middle…the world will stop and watch.
    “Croke Park, Wembley or Cowboy Stadium packed to the rim.
    “Will Conor finally shut up Jake Paul….or will Jake Paul once again show the world the impossible and put Conor into retirement?”
    Of course it would be sweeter to knock out his veneers in MMAJake Paul on Conor McGregor
    Paul, 25, insisted he would knock out McGregor, 33, in both the ring and octagon – leaving him needing a new set of gnashers in the process.
    He said: “If you took a poll on us boxing, I bet the vast majority would have me beating him.
    “And if you took a poll on us in a MMA fight, fans will say Conor is winning that.
    “So of course it would be sweeter to knock out his veneers in MMA.”
    Paul has been training 24/7 in boxing for the last four years, earning himself a 5-0 record.
    But he would be starting from the bottom again by crossing over to MMA – armed with only some high-school wrestling experience.
    Paul admits it would be an uphill task, requiring half a year of non-stop practise, but will leave no expense spared or stone unturned

    He revealed: “Who said I’m not worried? He’s been at it for 15 years. But I know I have a great chance given I’m rising and he’s declining.
    “I will spend six months, morning, day and night training with the best MMA coaches in the world and put myself in a position to win. I’m just built different.”
    McGregor has largely ignored Paul’s efforts to entice him into a mega-money bout, barely even acknowledging him.
    But renowned prankster believes his rival has been paying attention behind-closed-doors – and even accused McGregor of COPYING him.
    Paul said: “Never been focused on Conor responding because I know he has been listening and studying me.
    “Putting out tweets after right my fights. Look at his last fight, he was emulating my pre-fight tactics, everybody called him out on it.
    “I think this direct of a response is because he knows this is the biggest fight for him and a chance to do something that Mayweather couldn’t do… beat a Paul brother.”
    Jake Paul is willing to fight Conor McGregor in MMA or boxingCredit: Instagram @jakepaul
    Conor McGregor was blasted by Jake PaulCredit: Refer to Caption More

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    UFC champ Kamaru Usman wants to beat Canelo and become the ‘Face of the Fight Game’ and dominate combat sports

    KAMARU USMAN’s motivations for a blockbuster crossover bout with Canelo Alvarez aren’t financial – he simply wants to become ‘The Face of the Fight Game’.The UFC’s dominant welterweight champion revealed his eagerness to test himself against boxing’s pound-for-pound king ahead of his successful title defence against Colby Covington last November.
    UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has set his sights on conquering the boxing worldCredit: LOVE HEMP
    And The Nigerian Nightmare has set his sights on a clash with boxing’s biggest star Canelo AlvarezCredit: Getty
    Kamaru Usman is an ambassador for Love Hemp, the Official Global CBD Partner of UFC.Credit: LOVE HEMP / UFC
    Usman’s calls for a Canelo clash have been brushed off by the majority of fight fans, with many viewing it as a desperate attempt to land the biggest payday of his career.
    The Nigerian Nightmare is all too aware of the financial reward that would come with a showdown with the newly-crowned undisputed super-middleweight king.
    But it’s the chance to do the unthinkable and permanently etch his name into the history books that is driving his pursuit of the crossover clash.
    The Love Hemp Ambassador told SunSport: “Obviously, the bigger the dream, the bigger the manifestation.
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    COMPETITION: WIN TWO PAIRS OF UFC LONDON TICKETS AND A PAIR OF SIGNED GLOVES
    “And the more it scares me, the more I’m willing to prepare and go through [hell] to achieve it.
    “It’s no surprise. Canelo is a tall glass for anybody – a tall pint.
    “And it scares me, it scares me to death. But the real reason [I want the fight] is: I wanted to be welterweight champion, I got it.
    “I wanted to be pound-for-pound, I got it. I always thought this phrase was special, and the phrase that I’m after now is: ‘The Face of the Fight Game’.
    “And Canelo, right now, can’t say [he’s the face of the fight game]. Yeah, he’s the face of boxing, but he can’t say he’s the face of the fight game.
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    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    “And I can’t claim to that as well. So, there’s only one way for me to stake claim to that.
    “And that’s taking on something that seems astronomically impossible to everyone, except myself.”
    Manifesting a multi-million-pound showdown with Canelo to fruition will be the tallest order of Usman’s combat sports career.
    But the man from humble beginnings in Auchi, Nigeria, is no stranger to willing such momentous achievements into existence.
    In fact, it’s all he’s ever done since leaving Team USA’s Olympic training center in Colorado to pursue his dream of winning UFC gold.
    Usman, who claimed the welterweight throne years ago with a shutout of then-dominant champ Tyron Woodley, said: “Throughout my career and my life, I always set a goal for myself.
    “And I might not write it down – a couple I’ve written down. I might not write it down, but I set the goal here (points to his head).
    “And each and every day, it’s working towards that goal. It’s working towards that step. And I’ve manifested so much, so much in my life and in my career.
    “To where when I was leaving the Olympic training center for wrestling, I created a Twitter account. I left and I was going to pursue mixed martial arts.
    “And I put on there, I believe, it was future welterweight champion of the world. And it was rocky at times. I had ups and downs and bumps in the road.
    Kamaru Usman became UFC welterweight king in March 2019Credit: GETTY
    Usman was overcome with emotion after becoming Africa’s first UFC championCredit: GETTY
    “And then I got to the point where somehow I found a way to the Ultimate Fighter. And that was something that I’d thought about and I was manifesting in my head, ‘I would be an Ultimate Fighter champion.’
    “Because look at my mentor at this point, it was Rashad Evans. He was that. He was the Ultimate Fighter champion and a UFC champion.
    “So I find myself on the show now and I’m like, ‘Okay, maybe I can do this. Let me try that.’ And we get through and I do win the show.
    “And now I find myself in the UFC to where that manifestation that I planned in my head, it could actually happen now because I’m the organisation.
    “Not many people get to the organisation, let alone be in the position to potentially get there. And now I’m working and I’m working and I’m working. And in my head, it kind of struggled to be real to me.
    “Because it scared me. ‘UFC champion, that’s impossible. I couldn’t do that. You’re just a small kid from Nigeria that found wrestling. How does that happen?’
    “And I kept thinking and manifesting to [the point] where I remember getting the call, ‘Hey, you’re going to fight this guy in March for this belt.’ March 3rd 2019.
    “And I was like, ‘What? I don’t believe it yet.’ Because I was calling out this guy, that guy and this guy because I just want to fight. I just want to get closer to it.
    Kamaru Usman is an ambassador for Love Hemp, the Official Global CBD Partner of UFC.”Credit: UFC / LOVE HEMP
    “And I get the contract and I’m like, ‘Oh wow, this is real. And at that point, there was nothing in my head, there was nothing in my way that was going to stop me from achieving something that I’ve already set out to do in my mind years ago – a decade ago.
    “And I got out and it was almost like walking through a dream. Because every move I had done before, every step I had done before. The game plan, I had executed before. And boom, I became the champion.”
    Usman’s goals for his combat sports career – as well as his Twitter handle – quickly changed after he fulfilled his dream of becoming Africa’s first UFC champion.
    He recalled: “I remember changing that handle to ‘welterweight champion’ and how it felt. But even after doing that, I still had other goals.
    “And for me, it’s like, ‘I see it, I want it. All right, that’s it, let’s go do it.’
    “And I was like, ‘Man, it would be great to be [top of the] pound-for-pound rankings. That would be good, that would be great.’
    “And at the time, it was Jon Jones that was there. And I was just like, ‘Man, it would be great to be that one day.’
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    “So I start thinking and thinking. And everything I do, every step that I’m taking is towards that. And then all of a sudden, it happens.”
    Kamaru Usman is an ambassador for Love Hemp, the Official Global CBD Partner of UFC.
    Love Hemp is a leading supplier of CBD products in the UK and USA. Its award-winning range is stocked by over 2,000 retailers across the UK, giving Love Hemp a reputation as one of the most trusted CBD brands on the market.
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