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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Israel Adesanya named as one of three UFC fighters who could beat Jake Paul


UFC legend Michael Bisping believes Israel Adesanya, Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira have the tools to beat Jake Paul.

Paul has recorded six consecutive wins in the boxing ring, including two over Tyron Woodley and his most recent scalp against UFC legend Anderson Silva. The YouTube star is continuing to chase further crossover bouts with the promotion's biggest names including Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor.

The 'Problem Child' has faced criticism for his level of opponents with many suggesting he now needs to fight someone with a natural skillset in boxing such as bitter rival Tommy Fury. However, former UFC champion Bisping believes even he has the boxing ability to defeat Paul in the ring.

"I think a lot of people in MMA would beat Jake Paul. A lot of people who are in their prime would beat Jake Paul," Bisping said when discussing potential rivals for Paul from the UFC roster during a video on his YouTube channel. "Anthony Smith would beat him, Glover Teixeira would beat him, Israel Adesanya would beat him. I'd f***ing beat him with great ease. " He's [Paul] got to slow his roll.

"He's not fighting boxers. He hasn't fought a boxer once. He talks about becoming a world champion in boxing, but he doesn't fight any boxers. Shut the f*** up about becoming a pound-for-pound great or becoming a world champion in boxing."

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It is unlikely Adesanya will ever take on Paul given the pair have become friends since Paul's rise to prominence in combat sports. However Smith and Teixeira would likely be open to the opportunity, particularly given the prospect of a lucrative payday outside of the UFC.

Jake Paul has yet to be beaten in the boxing ring (Getty Images)

Who would you like to see Jake Paul fight next? Let us know in the comments section below

Bisping has been a vocal critic of Paul since he launched his career in the boxing ring, and the pair even talked up a fight which at one stage looked as if it could materialise. However the UFC legend is unlikely to return to action given a showdown with Paul would unlikely to be sanctioned.

It would also be extremely improbable that Paul takes on Adesanya in the boxing ring, having previously stated that the Nigerian would be the only UFC star he would not want to touch gloves with. He said when speaking on the TimboSugarShow with UFC bantamweight Sean O'Malle y: “Honestly bro, he’s like probably the only fighter in the UFC that I wouldn’t fight.

"He’s tall as f*** and his striking. I think he’s probably, arguably, one of the best strikers- top three ever in the history of the sport. But there are a lot of UFC fighters and he’s literally really the only one that I wouldn’t [want to fight]."

READ MORE:    Darren Till targeting “dream matchup” with Israel Adesanya in England
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