Jake Paul claims Ilia Topuria ducked spar as he takes aim at two-weight UFC champion

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Jake Paul isn’t a fan of Ilia Topuria and reckons the two-weight UFC champion dodged a chance to spar with him.

The controversial boxer clashed with Topuria on Adin Ross’s stream earlier this year, and it looked like they’d agreed to meet up for a private sparring session. But between Paul recovering from his broken jaw and Topuria getting ready for his White House headliner, nothing’s happened yet.

Now, Paul claims that Topuria is avoiding him altogether. He’s confident he’d have no trouble in the ring, pointing not only to his background against other MMA fighters but also the clear size advantage he would have.

Jake Paul hits out at Ilia Topuria during Complex interview

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Jake Paul pushed for a sparring session with Ilia Topuria at his home gym in Puerto Rico after the two had an argument over the phone. And now, he has told Complex News that he views the Spanish-based champion as little more than a tune-up for his return to fighting.

Discussing the Topuria stream and UFC stars more broadly, Paul said: “They have to publicly, when they’re on the live streams, say ‘I’ll do it right now! Let’s do it!’ Then when it goes to happen, it doesn’t come to fruition.

“We’ll see! I have respect for him. But in a boxing match? That’s honestly a warm up 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. He’s like 5’5″, can’t even ride a roller coaster – the guy is tiny.”