Jake Paul: Boxing Ilia Topuria 'would be like playing with a little toy'

Jake Paul says UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is no match for him in the ring.

Paul recently got into it with Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) over the phone during Adin Ross' livestream about fighter pay. They verbally agreed to spar, but Paul warns Topuria that the size difference would give him no chance if they laced up the gloves.

"They have to publicly, when they're on the live streams, say, 'I'll do it right now, let's do it!' And then when it goes to happen, it just doesn't come to fruition," Paul said in an interview with Complex News. "We will see. And I have respect for him. But in a boxing match? That's honestly a warmup for me, all jokes aside. If we did MMA, he would probably win.

"But you just have to know the truth, that I think these fighters try to boast too much and act like they're better than they are to the world. But let's find out the truth. That's what’s great about the sport. It would be like playing with a little toy. Also, he's like 5'5.' If we were the same weight, he's a good striker. Same height, it would probably be closer. I would still beat him, but he can't even ride roller coasters. The guy is tiny."

Outside of the exception made for Conor McGregor, UFC fighters don't normally have the flexibility to box while under contract. Paul did, however, box numerous former UFC fighters such as Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, Mike Perry, and Nate Diaz – all whom he beat.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jake Paul: 'Tiny' Ilia Topuria would be a warm-up fight in boxing