Jake Paul might claim that he wants a piece of Conor McGregor in the Octagon, but UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith believes Paul has absolutely zero chance against an experienced fighter. Speaking on The Fighter vs the Writer, Smith explained exactly why a move into MMA is a terrible idea for the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
“First of all, Conor’s half his size right now. People do miss that. Jake’s a big dude and he’s fighting short, stocky, wrestler welterweights. Jake Paul’s my size. He’s a big goddamn dude. He’s way north of 200 pounds.
Anthony Smith on Jake Paul’s MMA Chances: “He’s Going To Get Barbecued!”
Him fighting Conor in a boxing match, that would probably be a pretty good fight, to be honest with you. But is he going to knock him out in an MMA fight? 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. But no, in an MMA fight, he’s going to get barbecued.”
Anthony Smith, unlike many in the MMA world, has come around on Jake Paul recently, even if the pair will never be friends. Jake Paul’s attempt to improve working conditions for the UFC roster is a major factor in this. “I’ve come around on Jake a little bit, too, to be honest with you.
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. If he’s truly out here trying to help people and get pay up — and it seems like he’s going into his own pocket to help people on his own shows and stuff — I have a hard time knocking that.
I’ve always said, I don’t have any problem with him making money. If you can get it, get it. I think everyone has the right to compete if they want to. I’ve always stuck up for him and said that he has the right to compete. He has a right to be here. He has a place at the table.”Smith also praised Paul’s work ethic in the boxing gym.
“He trains hard, he takes it very serious. He busts his ass. He’s not as bad as people want to pretend. I got a lot of s*** from the very beginning of this. Every fighter you talk to [says], ‘That dude sucks, he can’t fight, that dude is s***,’ and from the very beginning I said, ‘I don’t think so. I think he’s OK.’
“Is he going to beat anyone [who] I super respect their skills and abilities? Right now, no. But he’s a pretty skilled, really heavy-handed amateur, in my opinion. That dude can f****** fight. People hate him so much, they forget that.” Do you agree with Anthony Smith? Let us know in the comments.
