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-209 Jake Paul (3-0) vs. +160 Tyron Woodley (0-0 boxing, 19-7-1 MMA), Catchweight
So, here we are … a former UFC champion and one of the greatest MMA welterweight fighters of all time is stepping into the square circle to take on a YouTube star who decided to pour professional boxing-like funding and focus into his training camps and fight promotion.
What makes this fight not only extraterrestrial but rewarding, is that Tyron Woodley, a man from extremely humble beginnings, will be cashing the biggest check of his illustrious fighting career while also trying to shut the mouth of one of the greatest self-promoters of this generation. Needless to say, WHOEVER gets their hand raised on Sunday night will undeniably gain the respect of the masses! [[ad:athena]]
There is a clear reason why Jake Paul is hand-picking his opponents; not only to steer clear of immediate danger, but because he’s building up towards the ultimate collision of worlds – a fight against none other than the notorious one, Conor McGregor … Yes, Jake Paul is two more hugely publicized victories away from fighting a combat sports legend!
I promise you, I’m writing this completely sober and clear-headed, so let me walk you down this path of plausible chaos …
Jake Paul’s resume: Before becoming a YouTube sensation, currently holding over 20 million subscriptions, the Ohio native caught his first wave of success in 2013 through the Vine social media platform. From then on he continued to gain fame and media opportunities before ultimately being let go by Disney for inciting an unlawful gathering of people instigated through his content. Shortly after the incident, the “Problem Child” discovered boxing; a new avenue to promote himself while also turning towards a healthier lifestyle. Paul’s boxing career has been under a microscope since his older brother Logan fought fellow social media king, KSI. Though Logan Paul is hot off the heels of a major event against active boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, it’s Jake who has truly gravitated to the sweet science. Jake Paul’s brand has brought in a completely new audience with every victory he notches under his belt. Paul started off by beating fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, then stepped it up to a former professional athlete in Nate Robinson, then climbed a little bit higher when he absolutely walked through MMA star Ben Askren.
The ringside view of Jake Paul one-punching Ben Askren for the KO! 😵 #PaulAskren pic.twitter.com/5wEnHEgpL2
— Monkey Knife Fight (@mkf) April 18, 2021
On the same night of the Askren fight, Woodley, a friend and teammate of Askren, went to check on Paul as he was getting his hands wrapped. This is typically to ensure that there’s no funny business going on with the wraps. However, what did come out of this scene was the first bit of promotion for Paul vs. Woodley.
Um incidente rolou nos bastidores de Jake Paul x Ben Askren. Tyron Woodley, parceiro de Askren, foi até o vestiário de Jake provocando um atrito com ele e seu treinador e também boxeador J’Leon Love, que desafiou Tyron para uma luta de boxe, questionando seu nível como pugilista. pic.twitter.com/qt8h2IqDzD
— MMA Melotto (@MMAmelotto) April 19, 2021
Tyron Woodley’s resume: Take away the fame and fortune from Tyron Woodley and you’re left with a man who had to literally fight to achieve everything he’s earned in life. Born in a dangerous environment, the Ferguson, MO native found solace and a way out through wrestling. Woodley joined the University of Missouri wrestling team where he excelled and formed his friendship with wrestling stand-out, Ben Askren. Not ready to leave competition post-college, Woodley turned his wrestling skills into a base for Mixed Martial Arts where he started his career 10-0. Woodley climbed through the StrikeForce MMA ranks, and then up the UFC ranks becoming one of the best to ever do it at 170 pounds. Ironically, Woodley isn’t known for his wrestling inside the cage, he’s best known for his thunderous right hand. After achieving the ultimate goal in MMA in 2016 - becoming a UFC champion - Woodley went on to defend the title several times with some memorable performances. In March of 2019, Woodley’s title run would be halted by the buzzsaw - and current UFC welterweight champ - Kamaru Usman. Woodley lost all the momentum he had built by losing four straight one-sided fights.
In came Jake Paul.
After what seemed to be the end of his combat sports career, Woodley has found that twinkle in his eye again, not only because of the huge payday that awaits, but also a chance to avenge his friend’s loss, by defeating the world’s biggest YouTube bully.
BOOM: Nasty knockout by Tyron Woodley on Robbie Lawler. Last Night! #UFC201 👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/UJZ7uzAhNs
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) July 31, 2016
Analysis: At first glance, casual fight fans may perceive Sunday night’s fight as ‘how can a friggin YouTuber beat a former combat sports champ?’. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s very possible! Whoever’s put the money line together is very smart and has been paying attention to Paul’s commitment to boxing and how Woodley may be a fish out of water. I will point you in the right direction to get a steal deal in the next segment of this article.
Rules and Regulations:
- 20 x 20 feet Boxing Ring
- 10 ounce Boxing Gloves
- Catch Weight of 190 pounds
- Eight Rounds x 3 minutes
Physique:
Jake Paul, 6’1” 191.5 pounds: A naturally bigger man, Paul walks around north of 200 pounds and cuts down to make weight. He may not look as trim as his older brother, but that has proven not to matter… yet.
Tyron Woodley, 5’9” 170 pounds: Typically draining himself down to make the MMA welterweight limit of 170.9 pounds, Woodley may find it beneficial to be walking into a contest approximately around his walk-around weight.
Boxing Ring vs. MMA Cage:
The squared ring is much harder for a fighter to cut corners, evade strikes. A professional MMA cage is 30 feet and typically six-sided, eight-sided or a circle which makes it a heck of a lot easier to dance away from opponents especially when in trouble. This will heavily favor Paul, who holds a lot more muscle memory when it comes to the sidewalls of a ring than Woodley. Don’t be surprised if Woodley paints himself into a corner once or twice.
Cardio / Durability:
There’s no denying that Jake Paul’s gas tank has never truly been tested. He is leaning into his knockout power as the great equalizer, but that may not bode well if he can’t get Woodley out of there in the early rounds. Furthermore, Woodley has proven to be extremely durable, and though he does not win all the five-round fights he enters, more often than not he makes it to the final bell. It is also extremely hard to knock out Woodley. He hasn’t been finished from a strike in over nine years!
Power:
So, Woodley has a huge right hand, Paul has a huge right hand. But, the difference? Woodley is putting a little more padding on top of that power for this fight. For example, we’ve seen McGregor, who possesses a huge left, lose almost all of his power when switching over from a 4oz MMA glove to a 10oz boxing glove. Unless you’re Mike Tyson, often, boxers’ knockouts come from an accumulation of damage. MMA sees a lot more “flash KOs’’ because the smaller glove can find its target more precisely. And vice versa, a bigger boxing glove allows for better head defense and protection. Woodley’s power will be a moot point unless he slowly and methodically chops down the tree.
Foot Work:
When Woodley was at his best he would sit and wait for opponents to present an opening for his big right hand. As his career dwindled, opponents saw a way around his power by gassing him out and circling away from his biggest weapon. Woodley hasn’t shown great lateral footwork (east and west). He is typically a north and south fighter when it comes to movement. Paul’s boxing ring familiarity alone gives him the advantage in this department. As previously mentioned, getting caught in the corners of a ring versus a cage is a lot more consequential.
Mental Fortitude:
This attribute is basically who has the most heart, who’s willing to walk through the fire, who has the will to win or not to quit when they’re being dominated. I think it’s fair to say that Woodley won’t go down like a chump. He’s been in the heat of combat with some pretty scary dudes and has managed to win or at least survive a beatdown. I don’t expect Jake Paul to be the one who breaks Woodley’s will, but I believe that’s the reason the fight will go eight full rounds.
Betting:
- Who wins? I’m picking the YouTuber to win, but just barely -209
- Does it go the distance? Short answer, yes! Longer answer, because they both get tired. +500
- Method of victory? Jake Paul wins via decision. +1000
What’s next?: Rumor has it, that there’s a rematch clause if Woodley happens to win. If Paul wins dominantly, expect a fight against a UFC star such as Nate Diaz or more likely Jorge Masvidal whom Paul already fired shots at this week. And to come full circle, if Jake Paul beats Woodley and then beats Masvidal, the timeline and opportunity for a fight against Conor McGregor is extremely opportune scheduling-wise and of course financially-wise.
What a day and age we live in!
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