Anthony Smith admits his opinion on Jake Paul has changed a lot since the social influencer decided to transition into boxing, but that doesn’t mean he gives “The Problem Child” any chance whatsoever in an actual MMA fight against somebody as skilled as Conor McGregor.
Paul has been continuing to critique the UFC’s business practices over recent months. This was mainly due to his issues regarding fighter pay. He’s now making several suggestions to move to MMA, provided that Dana White agrees to a set of requirements.
Regardless of whether the UFC will ever actually even consider that proposition, Paul has stated rather adamantly that he’s confident he’d tear through McGregor inside the octagon, even going so far as to predict a devastating finish against the Irishman.
“Conor is on a downhill spiral,” Paul told TMZ. “His limbs are all broken. So, stand-up game, I’m coming out and knocking him out, first round.”
For all the ways that Smith has warmed up to Paul, the one-time UFC title challenger can’t help but laugh at the idea that a 25-year-old novice without a single day of real MMA experience would beat any veteran, much less an ex-champion of two UFC divisions like McGregor.
“Conor is half his height right now,” Smith stated on MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The writer . “People do miss that. Jake is a huge dude, and he fights short, stocky welterweight wrestlers. Jake Paul’s my size. He is a huge goddamn man. He’s way north of 200 pounds. He would likely fight Conor in a bout of boxing, which I think would be an excellent fight. Is he likely to beat him in an MMA match? No. Not when Conor gets kicking — he’s going to kick Jake Paul’s head right off his shoulders.
“People say that Jake can wrestle a little bit so [he] might be able to keep it a little bit competitive for a minute or so. He’s not going to be barbecued .”
in an MMA match.
In many ways, Smith has come to respect Paul for what he’s done thus far in a young boxing career that’s seen him amass a perfect 5-0 record with four knockouts.
Even when he scoffed at many of Paul’s more outrageous statements, Smith never had a problem with the 25-year-old Ohio native going out and making a massive paycheck for his exploits in the ring.
“I’ve come around on Jake a little bit, too, to be honest with you,” Smith said. “I still think he’s kind of a douchebag, but it’s OK to be a douchebag. He’s not my type of dude. I’m not sure he and I could hang out and be friends. It’s possible he is truly trying to make a difference and help others. However, it appears that he has his own show and his money. I find this difficult to believe.
” I’ve said it all: He can make money. If you can get it, get it. Everyone has the right and ability to participate in any kind of competition. He has every right to compete. I have always stood up for him. He is entitled to this place. He is entitled to a seat at the table .”
Smith seems to be quite complimentary of Paul’s boxing abilities, particularly after seeing him in action, such as his 8-round victory over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley. Paul then returned for a rematch and demolished Woodley with a brutal knockout that closed that rivalry in emphatic fashion.
“He works hard and takes his training very seriously,” Smith stated about Paul. “He busts his ass. He’s not as bad as people want to pretend. From the beginning, I was exposed to a lot of s***. Every fighter that you speak to [says], will tell you, “That dude is so sucky, he can’t fight. That dude, that ***,’, I told him from the beginning, “I don’t believe so.” I think he’s OK.’
“Is he going to beat anyone [who] I super respect their skills and abilities? No. He is, however, a very skilled and heavy-handed amateur. That dude can f****** fight. He is so hated by people, that they forget .”
If Paul is serious about MMA, he may be able put his boxing skills into use in the cage. But Smith realizes it’s still a stretch to think that Paul will ever make it to the UFC to beat anyone on the roster.
Due to his size — Paul stands 6-foot-1 tall and tips the scales around 200 pounds — Smith looks at him more as a light heavyweight or middleweight, and he really doesn’t like his chances to get past any of those fighters, no matter how much training he does to get ready.
“What would Jimmy Crute do to Jake Paul?” Smith said. Even Devin Clark. Devin Clark would bulldoze that dude and smash him.
” It would be as long as one of these guys takes to cross the octagon. Seven or eight seconds is all it takes.
Smith can understand why Paul says what he is, particularly where McGregor is concerned. McGregor is the most important draw in the current fight scene.
“He is getting headlines. I understand it,” Smith stated. He’s just playing a game. Because it’s good for him .”
, he keeps Conor in his mouth.
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