KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV admitted Jake Paul ‘knows how to punch’ and is ready to offer the YouTube star a MMA contract.
The American is 5-0 as a boxer but has teased a switch to the cage lately and even called out Khabib.
UFC legend Nurmagomedov instead wants to welcome Paul over to his Eagle Fighting Championship promotion.
He said on Nelk Boys’ podcast: “In boxing, he knows how to punch. He’s not bad in the boxing game. Anybody can box.
“You can box, too, but you never can wrestle. This is completely different. If he wants, we can give him a chance.
“We can sign him, and we can pay him, and we’ll see.”
Paul, 25, most recently knocked out Tyron Woodley, 39, in their short-notice rematch, after Tommy Fury, 22, pulled out with a broken rib.
Woodley took the fight only four months after losing on points, meaning Paul has KO’d every opponent he has shared the ring with.
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It followed from prior KO’s over YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
But Fury’s withdrawal also means Paul is still yet to face an opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
Despite the criticism of his opposition, the internet personality has continued to call out MMA fighters, including Khabib.
But Paul wants to fight the unbeaten Russian, 33, in MMA and demanded a £26million purse to do so.
Though Khabib, who announced a shock retirement in October 2020, laughed off the callout.
He said: “Come on, Jake Paul. I don’t think so. In MMA, like couple of minutes. He’s late a little bit because I’m finished.
“Of course, we can think about this. I watched — it was sparring, or I watched some video where he’s doing, like, MMA with someone. He has to learn a lot.”
