Up and coming UFC star Paddy Pimblett has blasted YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul, stating that he believes the American’s fights are fixed.
Pimblett is currently preparing for UFC 282 in Las Vegas on December 10, where his lightweight bout against Jared Gordon is the co-main event.
Speaking on the Pub Talk podcast ahead of the event, the biggest fight of his career so far, The Baddy gave his opinion on YouTube boxing to the co-hosts, talkSPORT's Breakfast show host and former Scottish international footballer Alan Brazil and former England international footballer Ray Parlour.
And the Liverpudlian pulled no punches, though, he did give Paul credit for training hard and improving his level.
What does Paddy Pimblett think of Jake Paul?
“They are a gang of idiots. I give Jake Paul his due now, he’s training that much he probably could beat some professional boxers.”
However, he went on to emphasise that The Problem Child has been able to train full time, have a top-class back-up team and get enough rest to maximise his training, unlike most top amateurs and rookie professionals.
Video: Paddy Pimblett on Pub Talk podcast
“He’s got unlimited funds and he hasn’t got to do anything else, he hasn’t got to go and do a job all he’s got to do is box. And he gets the best coaches in, the best nutritionists in, and stuff like that.”
While acknowledging that the YouTuber has reached a decent level as a boxer, Pimblett believes some of Paul’s fights are fixed after watching his latest win over UFC legend Anderson Silva.
Are Jake Paul's fights fake? Paddy Pimblett has his say
Pimblett continued: “Jake Paul is actually not that bad now, even though I think his fights are fixed.
"I don’t think the Tyron Woodley knockout was fixed because when you get knocked out like that and you land face first, if you’re not unconscious you’re going [puts arms out]. You can’t help it that’s a human reaction. But I have seen an angle of a punch he hit Anderson Silva with the other day when he sat down, and he didn’t even hit him.”
Are Jake Paul's fights rigged? UFC's Paddy Pimblett has his say
Pimblett is the latest MMA personality to question the validity of Paul‘s victories in the boxing ring.
Jake Paul in boxing
Paul defeated Silva last month via unanimous decision. It was just the second time in Paul’s career that he went the full distance in the boxing ring, with his last decision win coming against Tyron Woodley in August last year.
Some fans and pundits remain sceptical about Paul’s boxing record, with some alleging that his fights are fixed, with opponents being paid off to take a dive. The allegations began when Paul knocked out Ben Askren last year. The MMA community, including names such as Colby Covington and Eryk Anders, questioned the integrity of the win.
Pimblett, meanwhile, has been a callout target of Jake’s brother Logan, and the 3-0 UFC fighter says he would entertain a fight with an internet celebrity for the right amount of money.
“It’s an easy payday. I don’t want to box any of them, I don’t care about them. I do this properly and professionally against some of the best fighters in the world. But if any of them want to pay me millions of pounds to beat them up I’m all for it.”
It seems highly unlikely that Pimblett will be involved in any exhibitions or crossover fights in the foreseeable future. He has made rapid progress through a high quality and highly populated UFC lightweight division and clearly wants to test himself against the best, and in such a competitive category, there will be no shortage of quality opponents.
Pimblett enjoyed a good rest after his win over Jordan Leavitt in July. Should he be successful against Gordon, he will have his eyes firmly on a path to the top 15. He has stated in the past that he is aware that the division is stacked and wants to progress steadily in order to earn a genuine chance to take on the top-ranked fighters.
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