Ex-UFC middleweight champ Michael Bisping has confidently claimed he would “smoke” YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a “heartbeat.”
Jake Paul, dubbed ‘The Problem Child,’ is currently wrapping up his training camp ahead of his much-debated heavyweight clash with former undisputed heavyweight world champion, Mike Tyson. Since stepping into the professional boxing ring four years ago, Paul has made it a point to challenge UFC legends.
He boasts victories over Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz. The 27-year-old enters the Tyson face-off fresh from a knockout win against ex-UFC welterweight contender Mike Perry.
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Over the years, Paul and Bisping have not held back in their online exchanges. This past summer, ‘The Problem Child’ joined Tyson at a New York press conference to hype up their heavyweight clash.
And, tuning into the event, Bisping was anything but amused. On his YouTube channel, he let loose: “You are a joke,” Bisping declared. “You are a disgrace to the combat world. You’re an imposter. You’re a wannabe. You’re a fake.
“Challenge yourself, you pathetic man, you pathetic individual. Fighting is about challenging yourself. Granted, business. Killing it in that regard. But don’t give me this fighter bulls—. That’s what gets on my nerves.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (L-R) Mike Tyson and Jake Paul speak onstage at the press conference in promotion for the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match at The Apollo Theater on May 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix) (
Getty Images)
“The man’s almost 60. He’s almost a pensioner. … Mike Tyson was a terrifying individual. To go up against that man, in his prime, Jesus Christ, he was one of the scariest individuals that we’ve ever seen throughout any combat sport. The man was a straight killer. Was. Again, the key word.”
In a chat with Mirror US Fighting, Bisping reiterated his critique of the fight. “Jake Paul, listen, I’ve got nothing personal against Jake Paul, but he just likes to attack the UFC, he likes to attack MMA fighters, all while cherry-picking guys that aren’t boxers,” the now-TNT Sports analyst said.
“Go and box a boxer, go boxer a boxer or go and fight someone your own age. That’s all you got to do and, I will give you respect. As a businessman, he’s made a tremendous amount of money, and I applaud him for that because, ultimately, that’s what we’re all trying to do.”
Even though he hung up his gloves in 2017, ‘The Problem Child’ hasn’t stopped challenging the UK MMA icon. While Bisping has no intention of returning to the ring, ‘The Count’ had some stern words for the young American.
“But don’t give me this baddest man on the planet s***, don’t give me this world champion talk. I don’t buy that for one second. I mean the man was calling me out not long ago, sending a contract to my manager,” he continued. “I’ve been long retired, I have one eye, I’ve got two total knee replacements. I would smoke Jake Paul in a heartbeat, but I’m not gonna lower myself to doing that.”
Tyson hasn’t been in a pro ring since his defeat to Kevin McBride in 2005, but he did step back into the spotlight for an exhibition scrap with Roy Jones Jr. four years ago.
Bisping may not be thrilled about the upcoming clash of the titans, but he’s throwing his support behind the 58-year-old fighter next week. “I hope Mike Tyson gets it done, but this whole thing is a laughingstock,” he said.