Jake Paul Sparring Partner Claims Ben Askren Is "Going Down"

Ben Askren has 'no way' of beating Jake Paul and will 'get dropped' according to one of the MMA fighters sparring with the YouTuber.

Paul, who has an undefeated professional boxing record of 2-0, after beating another YouTuber and a former NBA star in his opening fights, is taking on Askren in April.

After months of calling out several MMA fighters, Paul got the chance to fight the former ONE champion, who retired from action in 2019, although he really wanted Conor McGregor.

Askren isn't known for his boxing ability at all, and spent most of his MMA career wrestling, having also won a gold at the World Championships.

And it's the 36-year-old's lack of striking that has made Brazilian MMA fighter Raush Manfio to claim Askren has nothing to worry Paul.

"We did five rounds of pure boxing. They had a referee there, it was all very professional," Manifo told MMA Fighting of his spar session with Paul.

"That kid works hard. He has a whole team working with him, not a bunch of yes-men. He trains really hard and he's big, so I had to be alert at all times. It wasn't easy. We trained hard

"Paul isn't a high-level boxer, but I can guarantee you he's working hard to become one.

Paul during his fight with Nate Robinson. Image: PA Images

"I believe Ben Askren can take a punch, but Jake Paul has knockout power. If Askren goes in there to trade hands, he's going down. No doubt. He's going down. [Paul] has a powerful right hand, and he's getting smarter in the ring, not getting scared or stuff like that, things you learn with time. I'm a professional MMA fighter since 2011 and I get mature as time goes by, you understand the sport, but [Paul] has firepower and that's crucial.

"In my opinion, what is Askren going to do? For him to win, only if he gets Jake Paul tired. But how is he going to get him tired if he doesn't have heavy hands? How is he going to hurt him? What is he going to do?

"I can only see Jake Paul winning by knockout or points, Jake Paul is far superior. I can't see one weapon [Askren] can use. If he was like a Dan Henderson type of fighter with a powerful overhand, that would be a different conversation.

"[Paul] has knockout power and cardio. Meanwhile, [Askren] might have a chin but doesn't have firepower to drop him, so I don't see how Askren wins this match."

Askren's most famous defeat was his loss in seconds to Jorge Masvidal. Image: PA Images

Paul has even started calling out Floyd Mayweather, who is due to fight the 24-year-old's older brother, and more famous YouTuber, Logan.

Eventually the American will have to fight a current active boxer in his own weight to get taken seriously, but until then he'll continue to cause a stir.

Topics: Conor Mcgregor, Ben Askren, Jake Paul, UFC

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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