Jake Paul explains why he is so confident of beating UFC champion Alex Pereira

Since making his debut back in 2020, 'The Problem Child' has defeated several former UFC fighters and is now targeting a mouthwatering showdown with the light-heavyweight king

By: irishmirror.ie

Oct 12 2024
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Jake Paul explains why he is s

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is confident he would beat Alex Pereira as the young American sees holes in the Brazilian's game.

'Poatan' recently fought for the third time this year against Khalil Rountree Jr. The Brazilian successfully defended his light-heavyweight title against the American at the Delta Centre in Salt Lake City. Rountree provided Pereira with one of the toughest tests of his career, particularly in the first few rounds.

That said, in the championship rounds, a gassed and bloodied Rountree could only take so much punishment, with Pereira going on to knock the challenger out in the fourth round. Immediately after the main event, the Brazilian played down talk of an immediate move to middleweight or heavyweight after racking up his third successful title defence at 205.

“We saw that Dricus is going to be fighting Sean Strickland. He’s a training partner of mine so I don’t want to get in his way,” he said. “I could go up to heavyweight but this division is great, I feel great with this weight cut and this is where I’m at.”

Against Rountree, it was only the second time in his UFC career that 'Poatan' went past the third round. While the Brazilian was dealing with some issues heading into the blockbuster showdown, Paul was not convinced by what he saw from the UFC superstar.

In a recent chat with Adin Ross, 'The Problem Child' was asked how a boxing fight with Pereira would play out. ”One thousand percent I would beat him,” he said. “That’s the thing is, Rountree actually kind of exposed that he doesn’t have a high volume output. He doesn’t like body shots. In MMA, Pereira would rip my head off. But boxing is a completely different sport, and the pace of it, and the style of it…

”He has holes. I mean, Rountree rocked him, hurt him a couple of times to the body, but didn’t follow up on it. So if anything, this fight showed me, yes, Alex Pereira is great. But I know I would beat him in a boxing match, and I still would love to make that happen. Pressure is on him. If he can find his way out of the UFC contract like Nate Diaz did, then eventually him and I can talk.”

As of right now, Pereira is yet to respond to the American's comments. It's not the first time 'The Problem Child' has issued a call out of 'Poatan.' After defeating former UFC fighter Mike Perry back in July in his last outing, Paul used the post-fight interview as an opportunity to call out the 37-year-old.

"And Alex Pereira, Alex Pereira, you said you want to box. I'm the king of this," he said. "I'm the king of this. Come over. We can make it happen. I want you, Alex Pereira. Indeed. Indeed. I just beat a BKFC champion. I beat multiple UFC champions. And he said he wants to box. So Alex Pereira, after Mike Tyson, let's make it happen."

After making his professional debut in 2020, Paul has gone on to defeat several MMA icons, including Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley and Nate Diaz. While he still has one eye on a bout with the light-heavyweight champion, the 27-year-old is currently preparing for his boxing showdown with Mike Tyson. The fight is scheduled take place on Friday, November 15 in Arlington, Texas at the AT&T Stadium in front of up to 90,000 fans.