YouTube boxing sensation Jake Paul has made the most impressive bet of his fledgling career – and it will end in him either fighting Anderson Silva in a kickboxing bout or having the MMA legend join his war against UFC president Dana White.
Only a day after riding into his open workouts on horseback, 25-year-old Paul once again took centre stage during a lively press event to promote Sunday’s boxing headliner with Silva – arguably the greatest MMA fighter who ever lived.
Throughout proceedings, Paul not only took aim at some of the sport’s biggest names, suggesting they “just f…ing fight”, but also had brother Logan shout to Silva from the crowd: “I love you but you’re going to be face down this weekend”.
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Elsewhere, Silva himself hinted at a future showdown with fellow UFC legend Georges St Pierre – “you have to see if GSP is still under UFC contract. I think he can come and do something special like we are” – but then later appeared to contradict that claim by saying he would no longer fight MMA.
But the biggest moment?
That came late, and unsurprisingly via Paul.
While no stranger to making wagers with his rivals, the fighter dubbed ‘Problem Child’ shocked the Arizona crowd — and those watching on via social mediums — when he coerced Silva into a bet which could have huge ramifications for the sport of MMA, and his arch rival White.
“I have a bet, I have bet for you Anderson,” Paul said just before the presser concluded.
“Noooo,” the Brazilian legend laughed in reply.
“Alright so, look,” Paul continued. “If you win, I’ll give you something that you probably want …”
“No tattoos,” the 47-year-old interrupted.
“No, no tattoos,” Paul replied.
“If you win, I will fight you in an MMA fight.”
At which point, one of the other fighters present at the press event could be heard to exclaim ‘s…!’.
“Wow,” Silva replied. “You’re so smart because I don’t fight MMA anymore. You’re so smart. I got you.”
“Kickboxing?” the American shot back, offering what would be a mouthwatering prospect for the fighter dubbed Spider.
“OK. Kickboxing,” Silva agreed.
“But if I win,” Paul said, moving finally toward the punchline you reckon he has been planning for some time, “me and you come together to create a united fighter’s association to help UFC fighters get better pay and better health care.
“You become the interim president.
“We unite to help these fighters once and for all.”
“Deal,” Silva said, before the pair then rose to shake hands on the wager.
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The move continues a long-running battle between Paul and UFC boss White over the state of fighter pay and health care in the world’s most popular MMA organisation.
With a win over Silva, Paul will also be angling to fight some of the biggest UFC stars over the past decade – most notably Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz.
Elsewhere, the brash American also took aim at some of boxing’s biggest names for the ongoing issue of big fights failing to materialise.
When a journalist asked Paul – who doubles as a promoter – about the sport this year not getting a host of fights that fans wanted to see, he responded: “Get these fights done.
“Stop shooting yourself in the foot.
“Stop being greedy.
“Give people what they want.
“Don’t look at every term in the contract and try to change it. Just f…ing fight.
“You spar every day, why not get paid tens of millions to do it in front of people? They are very scared to risk their undefeated records.
“But boxing needs these big fights.
“Don’t let your manager stop you. Don’t let your promoter stop you.
“You have to be in control.”
