Jake Paul given hope of fighting UFC champion after bold call-out

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has been given hope of fighting UFC champion Alex Pereira after Dana White revealed his plans to get into boxing.

'The Problem Child' made his professional boxing debut in 2020 and has since defeated several MMA icons, including Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley and Nate Diaz. The social media star is currently preparing for his showdown with Mike Tyson. The blockbuster clash between the two stars is set to take place on Friday, November 15 in Arlington, Texas at the AT&T Stadium in front of up to 90,000 fans after their original bout earlier this summer was cancelled.

After defeating former fighter Mike Perry back in July in his last outing, Paul used the post-fight interview as an opportunity to call out Pereira. "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."

It'd now appear Paul is one step closer to getting his wish following White's recent announcement. Pereira recently revealed his excitement about the UFC chief's commitment to the sport of boxing. While the 55-year-old said the plan isn't to have UFC fighters cross over, 'Poatan' believes he could be the first from the promotion to break in.

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Pereira, who holds a professional MMA record of 11-2, is a former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion and has previously fought once in boxing, scoring a third-round TKO of Marcelo de Souza Cruz in June 2017. Speaking on the prospect of crossing over, the Brazilian told : "Honestly, man, I feel very good about this. I like boxing. I've wanted to fight in boxing for a while. I'm actually going to release, in the next few days, video footage of me sparring the best heavyweight boxer in Brazil.

"It's a few years ago, the video, but now I've gotten much better in the game. Dana White made the announcement, and to be honest, nothing was spoken of between us and the organisation. But I feel the partnership will start with me."

When White was asked if he'd allow any UFC fighter to follow in the footsteps of Conor McGregor and compete in the ring, the American's exact words were: “God, I hope not. Yeah, no, [it will be] completely separate." He later added: “Everything is about timing, and is now the time? We’re going to find out. There’s a lot of things I think I can do that other people haven’t done yet." McGregor famously entered the world of boxing in 2017 for a clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr. The Irishman pocketed millions for the fight, which he lost via tenth-round TKO.

Like Paul, Pereira is also preparing for a fight. The current light-heavyweight champion is scheduled to face Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307 this weekend. 'Poatan,' who is also the former king of the middleweight division, comes into the contest off the back of a stunning knockout win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 in June. While White's recent comments may concern the Brazilian, given how much of a global star he is, the UFC chief may give 'Poatan' the chance to showcase his skill inside the boxing ring due to his ferocious power and striking ability.