When Mike Tyson was unable to struggle on July 20 attributable to well being points, most believed Jake Paul would simply proceed to attend till he may finally face the legendary heavyweight on a marquee card set to air on Netflix.
The Tyson struggle was finally rescheduled for November, however relatively than sit on the sidelines, Paul ended up reserving a boxing match in opposition to UFC veteran and present BKFC celebrity Mike Perry. By all accounts, Perry could possibly be a a lot harder matchup than Tyson contemplating he’s 32 years outdated, he’s within the prime of his profession, and he’s a savage knockout artist with energy in each arms.
Even veteran analyst Dan Hardy was a bit shocked to listen to that Paul probably risked his Tyson struggle by taking up Perry this Saturday.
“It’s a recipe for catastrophe for Jake Paul,” Hardy informed MMA Preventing. “I’m actually genuinely shocked that he’s permitting Mike Perry to punch him, as a result of Mike Perry goes to savor the chance.”
Whereas he by no means blossomed into a real UFC contender, Perry was at all times entertaining, however he actually discovered his groove after transitioning into bare-knuckle boxing with BKFC.
Since signing there, Perry has put collectively an ideal 5-0 file that included high-profile finishes over ex-UFC champions Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez. He additionally scored a win over veteran boxer Michael Seals in an adjusted rule set match again in 2021.
Greater than something, Perry brings a degree of ferocity to his fights that Paul might have by no means skilled earlier than, which is why Hardy cautions him to take this matchup very critically — or he may get up staring on the lights.
“Mike Perry’s an animal,” Hardy stated. “He’s an absolute barbarian and he’s made for placing sports activities. Something the place he doesn’t have to fret about somebody making an attempt to carry onto him and take him down and make it a sluggish evening for him, he’s good. Jake Paul is large and he’s highly effective and he’s well-conditioned and his boxing recreation is enhancing, completely. When he fought Nate [Diaz], I believed he was going to be an excessive amount of for Nate. Nate simply didn’t land something of any significance. He wasn’t capable of actually concern Jake Paul or disorganize him in any means.
“You then have a look at what Mike Perry can do, even simply getting his brow in your face, throwing mad photographs across the aspect. He’s going to make it absolute chaos in there. That type of depth is one thing that I don’t suppose Jake Paul has ever skilled in a fight sports activities state of affairs earlier than. Perhaps in sparring, if he’s bought the correct coaches to herald the difficult sparring companions, however Mike Perry is there to eat your face and also you’ve bought to be ready for that type of depth. I don’t suppose Jake Paul is absolutely conscious of the strain he’s going to be beneath from the primary bell with Mike Perry.”
For all of the wins that Paul has on his file in opposition to MMA veterans, Hardy is aware of none of these fights got here in opposition to an opponent fairly like Perry.
If he’s not really prepared for what’s about to occur on Saturday, Hardy is aware of Paul could possibly be in for a really impolite awakening.
“In opposition to Nate Diaz, you’re going to really feel such as you’re being waterboarded, however you won’t really feel such as you’re getting damage,” Hardy stated. “In opposition to Ben Askren, what are you going to fret about when he’s sporting boxing gloves? In opposition to Tyron Woodley, he’s harmful if he throws one thing.
“With Mike Perry, you’ve bought all of these issues rolled into one. You’ve bought somebody that’s completely going to throw at you. You’ve bought somebody that’s going to be in your face the entire time, and he’s bought sufficient energy to actually damage you as properly.”
If Paul is profitable, it’s fully potential that Perry instantly turns into the largest win on his résumé, particularly in comparison with a possible victory over a 58-year-old Tyson.
As a lot as Tyson nonetheless means to the fight sports activities world, Hardy is aware of the legend’s greatest days are lengthy since behind him. Paul beating Tyson now might get him a giant paycheck and plenty of consideration, however it’s not like he’s beating a Tyson who’s wherever close to his prime.
“There’s at all times a hazard combating somebody like Mike Tyson, however you simply don’t get an incredible deal from beating him at this stage, at this age,” Hardy stated. “He didn’t get the accolades that he would have for beating Anderson Silva as a result of Silva was 47, and what’s Tyson? It might simply forged him in a foul mild no matter how the struggle performed out.”
