SEAN O’MALLEY predicted Jake Paul will be dragged into a ‘sloppy fight’ by Ben Askren, but backed the YouTuber to still win on points.
Paul faces retired UFC welterweight Askren on April 17, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The social media star has two knockouts in as many fights, but only fought online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
Askren is an ex-ONE Championship and Bellator champion but was renowned for his grappling and even proclaims he was not gifted with speed or power.
As a result, UFC bantamweight O’Malley warned the former Olympic wrestler will try and make things ugly in the ring as Paul fights to prove himself.
He said ahead of UFC 260: “I wanna see that fight. I don’t know, Ben versus Jake, it’s exciting. It’s gonna be a sloppy, sloppy fight.
“Ben’s gonna make it sloppy, which is good for him. Jake, he looks like he’s training hard.
“He’s young, he’s athletic, so if he doesn’t beat Ben Askren, we’ll see where he goes from there. He has to beat Ben to show he’s a legitimate boxer.”
Paul, 24, ruthlessly KOd Robinson, 36, last November on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s comeback.
And he has warned Askren, 36, is in for an equally brutal night.
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But O’Malley advised Paul to instead pace himself to victory, or risk running out of steam and allowing the experience of Askren to supersede the skill disparity.
He explained: “Ben’s such a good competitor – it’s not gonna be a good boxing fight. It’s gonna be gruelling.
“God, I hope Jake doesn’t come in there and try to put his lights out in the first round, two rounds. He’s gonna gas out and Ben’s gonna be there.
“Ben’s gonna be there all eight rounds. I don’t think Ben’s gonna gas.
“I think if Jake comes out calm, stays calm fight week, stays calm fight day, doesn’t get too excited and just blow his load the first couple of rounds, I think he can outbox him.
“If he stays behind his jab and doesn’t let Ben do what Ben wants to do, I think Jake could get the job done.”
