Paul returned to action last night with an emphatic knockout victory over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, but who is next for The Problem Child?
Tommy Fury
Boxing record: 7-0
Last night Jake Paul once again overcame former UFC champion, Tyron Woodley, inside the squared circle, but this time he clenched the decisive highlight-reel finish that will only serve to continue to elevate his status in the world of combat sports.
Likely kicking himself watching on the other side of the world, Tommy Fury looked set to provide what many believed but be the first real test of Paul's skills before an injury meant that he had to drop out of the fight just two weeks before the event.
With the hype already built up for a potential matchup (thanks at least in part to the hilarious actions of Big John Fury) Paul vs Fury makes sense as the next fight for the Problem Child.
After all, an argument could be made that both men would benefit equally from getting raised over the other. Fury will no doubt be looking to make amends for initially missing out on the fight due to his injuries, whilst Paul is still yet to face an opponent with a background in boxing.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this seems like the ideal fight to make; and will likely take place around Spring 2022.
Tommy Fury All Knockouts (4-0) 2022
Jorge Masvidal
Boxing record: 1-0
It's been a funny few years for Jorge Masvidal.
After back-to-back losses in 2017, the Miami native took a hiatus from the sport of MMA, appearing on a reality TV show before returning to Octagon in 2019 with a renewed passion for the sport.
Consecutive stoppage victories over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz followed, shooting Masvidal up the UFC rankings and cementing his status as one of the biggest pay-per-view draws in the sport.
Masvidal even appeared to be on good terms with the Paul brothers, with the former UFC title challenger even training with Jake in anticipation for his fight with Ben Askren earlier this year.
Since then though it appears that the relationship between the pair has soured, and Masvidal wasted no time throwing his name into the hat as a potential future opponent for Paul just hours after the former social media star's decisive win last night.
Fuck I’m utterly bored
pic.twitter.com/VetvSPYh9a
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter)
December 19, 2021
Whilst you've got to give Masvidal credit for his promo skills, there is precisely zero chance that Jake Paul will step inside the Octagon to fight MMA, so unless the UFC changes his offer, this one is a long shot.
For now…
Jorge Masvidal Trains With Boxing World Champ Teofimo Lopez
Anderson Silva
Boxing record: 3-1
MMA's most successful export to boxing in recent years, Anderson Silva is a bonafide legend of combat sports. The Spider enjoyed one of the most distinguished UFC careers of all time, defending the promotion's middleweight belt a record ten times before stepping away from the sport to focus on professional boxing in 2020.
Despite being 46 at the time of his career change, Silva showed that he is no slouch in the ring on his return, besting former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr before knocking out former UFC champion Tito Ortiz to round off his 2021 in style.
Paul has also actually entertained the possibility of a fight with Silva in the past remarking that the Brazilian's age is a cause for concern but uncharacteristically also noted that he would otherwise be honoured to step into the ring with a legend of combat sports.
Paul's already shown a predilection for taking on MMA fighters inside the boxing ring so why not face off against arguably the greatest striker in the history of the UFC?
Juilo Cessar Chavez Jr Anderson Silva Full Fight
KSI
Boxing record: 1-0 (Pro) 1-0-1 (Amateur)
With all the fanfare surrounding Paul's continued success inside the squared circle, it can be easy to forget that just a few short years ago there was another name that had come to be synonymous with YouTube boxing.
In the years since those early events, whilst Jake Paul moved on from fighting his fellow influencers, the former king of YouTube boxing, KSI, is now more focused on his burgeoning music career than stepping back inside the ropes.
However, should KSI decide to lace up his gloves once more, a fight with Paul would make perfect sense. After all, KSI has previously competed with Jake's brother Logan on two occasions, drawing the first fight and ultimately emerging victorious in the second bout before putting his pugilistic aspirations on hold.
Jake Paul has looked to be far more comfortable in the ring than his brother thus far, and the familial revenge angle is practically a license to print money should the two decide to settle their differences in the ring.
Ultimately, this bout would come down to whether KSI is willing to return to the sweet science whilst he continues to enjoy success outside of the sport.
18 Minutes Of KSI's Greatest Boxing Moments | ALL 3 FIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS
Conor McGregor
Boxing record: 0-1
If you want to make a splash in combat sports, it cannot hurt to shoot for the stars, and there is no bigger star in the sport than The Notorious, Conor McGregor.
Paul has long attempted to build hype for a potential match up with the UFC superstar, though McGregor has largely stayed quiet regarding the possibility of himself fighting a former social media influencer.
With that being said, McGregor is currently recovering from a serious leg injury sustained during his most recent trip to the Octagon, a losing effort against Dustin Poirier, and, as such a return to boxing might just be a wise move for the Irishman.
Of course, as is the case for all the other UFC fighters that are linked to a fight with Paul, McGregor would need approval from Dana White and the rest of the promotion's brass if he was going to take on Paul inside the squared circle. But, if there is any fighter who could conceivably persuade Dana, it is Conor.
Ultimately, whether a fight between McGregor and Paul takes place is essentially down to McGregor at this point. But if this year has taught us anything, you can never rule anything out in combat sports.
Conor McGregor Boxing Highlight
