Dana White Says He’d Bet $1 Million Ben Askren Beats Jake Paul, Paul Responds
UFC President Dana White is so confident in Ben Askren defeating Jake Paul that he’s willing to bet $1 million.
Paul and Askren are scheduled to compete in a pro boxing match on April 17. The bout will headline a Triller card. Paul is a YouTube star with two pro boxing matches. While Askren hasn’t had a boxing match, he has won world MMA gold under the Bellator and ONE Championship banners.
During an appearance on Hot Boxin’ with Mike Tyson, White said he’s willing to bet $1 million that Paul will lose his fight with Askren (h/t BJPenn.com).
“Let’s be honest, Jake Paul isn’t a [expletive] boxer. This guy is a [expletive] YouTube kid. [Askren] is a wrestler, a decorated wrestler. He has actually fought real guys. He has been a world champion in other organizations in MMA. I’ll bet a million dollars that he loses this [expletive] fight. A million dollars he loses this fight.”
Never one to hold his tongue, Paul took to his Instagram account to respond to White by upping the ante.
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“Dana let’s double the bet up! $2 Million. We wire the money into escrow. $4 million total. Winner takes all. My team will be in touch to make a contract. After I knockout Ben, we can set up Jake Paul Vs. Dana White 2021 since you consider yourself a ‘Boxer’ and me a ‘YouTuber,’ clown.”
Paul’s two boxing victories were against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former NBA star Nate Robinson. Askren hasn’t competed in combat sports since his October 2019 submission loss to Demian Maia. “Funky” retired from pro MMA competition following the defeat.
Paul vs. Askren will be held inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The undercard will feature Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach, Antonio Tarver vs. Frank Mir, and Joe Fournier vs. Reykon.