Jake Paul defeated a former UFC star for the second time
Millions across the world tuned in to watch Jake Paul versus Tyron Woodley, including some of the biggest stars in the UFC.
However, many of them were less than complimentary.
Tyron Woodley was the second former UFC star to go up against the celebrated YouTuber. While he has more raw punching power than Jake Paul’s previous opponent Ben Askren, Woodley didn’t exactly utilise the best of his striking ability.
A stiff right from the 39-year-old former welterweight champion sent Paul crumbling into the ropes in the fourth round, but boxing fans were left wondering why Woodley didn’t stop him there and then when he was there for the taking.
The moment Tyron Woodley staggered Jake Paul with a big right in round four… pic.twitter.com/BOtk1r3Knu
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 30, 2021
Jake Paul’s perseverance paid off, as he landed more jabs and body shots. The judges eventually scored the fight 77-75, 75-77 and 78-74 in his favour.
After the fight, many of the UFC’s most illustrious names voiced their disapproval with Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley on social media.
Chris Weidman, Daniel Cormier and current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman all weighed in online, but Nate Diaz was arguably the most forthright when expressing his opinion.
Diaz simply tweeted “both these guys suck.”
🤦🏿♂️
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 30, 2021
First corona , now this !!!! The world is fucked up 😳 https://t.co/7NWVMVBq9K
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) August 30, 2021
🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) August 30, 2021
Jake Paul showed he has toughness and won’t quit! Tyron wasn’t active enough, not a bad fight tho. It was activity! Paul was exhausted and when guys are that tired gotta show em the door. Whatever man. Dammit Tyron
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 30, 2021
These guys both suck
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) August 30, 2021
This the real fight we all want to see 🤦🏾♂️😂😂😂 #paulvswoodley pic.twitter.com/vIHlp5h9Uk
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 30, 2021
A boxer wouldn’t last this long in the octagon
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) August 30, 2021
Many social media users also took notice of Conor McGregor’s tweet that he was “salivating”, which was taken to hint at the prospect of facing Jake Paul.
However, it soon became clear that McGregor was in fact just referring to the lobster pasta he was waiting on in a restaurant.
Jake Paul versus Tyron Woodley: The Aftermath
Victory over Tyron Woodley in his native Cleveland, Ohio means Jake Paul’s unbeaten professional record remains intact.
After the fight, Tyron Woodley cut a visibly frustrated figure. “I feel like I won the fight,” he said.
“F*** the Tommy Fury fight, me and Jake need to run that back. I want a rematch.”
Jake Paul responded by telling Woodley that if he goes ahead with getting an ‘I love Jake Paul’ tattoo (as agreed upon before the fight), he will agree to a rematch. Woodley promptly agreed and the pair shook hands.
Paul also faces the prospect of a clash with Tommy Fury.
Speaking to BT Sport after his win over Anthony Taylor, Fury said: “No excuses, no running, no hiding. I want you next you bum!”
Later on in the night, after Paul had beaten Woodley, Fury and the Ohio native clashed in the backstage area of the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
OH. MY! 😮
"You need to stop running my friend!"
"Take the fight!"@tommytntfury and @jakepaul finally came face-to-face backstage and it was absolute chaos! 👀 pic.twitter.com/1398ZTZzMZ
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) August 30, 2021
Just who Jake Paul faces next remains to be seen. But it’s very unlikely to be in the octagon, that’s for sure.