Tyron Woodley has revealed his patience in sparring means he will be in no rush to knock Jake Paul out in their crossover boxing fight.
Former UFC welterweight world champion Woodley takes on YouTube star Paul over eight rounds in Ohio on Sunday night.
Woodley has not fought since March, when he lost to Vicente Luque in his last UFC bout after he was submitted in the opening round, and is approaching the final years of his career at the age of 39.
Paul meanwhile has beaten YouTuber AnEson Gib, former NBA star Nate Robinson and MMA legend Ben Askren in his three professional boxing bouts to date.
But Woodley is confident he can stop the younger man - no matter how long it takes.
"I'm knocking him out. I don't even care how quick. My last time sparring, in the eighth round, I was throwing the most craziest counter combinations with first-round power," he said on The MMA Hour.
"I'm patient, I'm not going to rush it. But I'm going to try the entire fight to knock him out."
Woodley also responded to a social media comment from Paul claiming that he has done 'more for MMA' than the 39-year-old already, to which the former champion labelled as 'utilising for clout'.
"Jake Paul played my character on the game more," Woodley said on the latest episode of Ask the Experts.
"He's utilised the clout he can get, you can't do more for a sport than someone who was there.
"I created the bag, I created Champ Camp and I showed people how to document their own content, I was the one who showed fighters that they can pursue their careers in fighting not just in one lane.
Will Jake Paul beat Tyron Woodley? Comment below
"Also during my time in the UFC, I fought the toughest competitors in one of the toughest divisions, taking on the top contenders without complaining."
Woodley has been backed by UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal to knock Paul 'the f*** out' ahead of their clash, and it could be a dangerous test for Paul against a more experienced striking fighter on the night.
But the 24-year-old YouTuber believes that he has the 'natural power' required to win the fight and launch his boxing career to new heights.
“No matter how good Tyron is, I’m gonna still go in there and get the W. But yeah, he is serious, and we’ve taken him more serious than any opponent thus far," Paul told MMA Fighting.
"People forget that boxing is the first form of martial arts.
"When the bell rings in MMA, it’s two guys standing on their feet. It’s a skill that Tyron’s been practicing way longer than I have.
Paul has further ignited feuds with other stars in MMA during his time in boxing, sparking a reaction from Dana White after claiming he would like 'to fight UFC fighters' during the early stages of his career.
The 24-year-old also labelled Irish star Conor McGregor's career an 'embarrassing fall from grace' after previously calling out the 33-year-old who is currently recovering from injury.
