UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is already thinking about his next fight — and he’s eyeing Jake Paul as an opponent.
Just two days after his knockout victory ag🌄ainst Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261, Usman said he’ll gladly “beat the s—t out” of Paul in the name of Daniel Cormier.
Cormier, a former UFC heavyweight and light-heavyweight champion, nearly came to blows with Paul during a confrontation at UFC 261 on Saturday in Jacksonville.
“At the end of the day that’s Daniel Cormier and Jake Paul needs to put some respect on his name… they’re not even in the same realm… DC sit down, let me take care of that for you, I’ll take care of that,” Usman, 33, told on Monday, when asked about Paul and Cormier’s dispute — which led to Cormier later saying he’ll only fight Paul in a🗹 mixed martial arts competition at 205 pounds.
Usman also said he’d rather take on Paul because “right now, these internet guys are making more noise” than the fighters in his own division.
“I could fight two more times this year, but none of these guys have showed me anything… If these guys don’t show me anything, then maybe I’ll go pull out one of these guys who think they could box, one of these internet guys and beat the s–t out of them.”
Paul, who’s known for his outspoken personality on the internet and in the ring, is 3-0 in his professional boxing career. His first two wins came against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former NBA player Nate Robinson — who has since been pushing for a pricey rematch with Paul. Most recently, he handily beat ex-MMA fighter Ben Ask😼ren in a boxing match.
Meanwhile, three of Usman’s last four fights ended in KOs. If he wants a shot at Paul, he may need to get in line.
Rising boxing star Tommy Fury — the 2🌊1-year-old half brother of Tyson Fury — on Monday, that he’s ready to fight Pa﷽ul whenever he “grows a pair” and actually accepts the challenge.