Jake Paul has challenged Michael Bisping to prove his fitness in order to earn a fight with the YouTube star - and a $1million purse.
Former UFC middleweight champion Bisping was among six fighters shortlisted by YouTube star Paul for his return to the ring in August. He responded to the call-out by accepting the fight, while doubting Paul would go through with it because of his habit of selecting opponents who are smaller than he is.
"Come on Jake Paul, you do know I’m about your size? Surely that excludes me from your hit list?" he wrote on Twitter. Paul wasted no time in replying, saying: "I would knock you out worse than Hendo. You’re an easy fight but show me you can get licensed and I will show you $1M plus PPV…"
Paul was referring to Bisping's KO defeat by rival Henderson at UFC 100 in 2009. Bisping went on to win the middleweight title by stopping Luke Rockhold in 2016 before outpointing Henderson in their rematch four months later. But the Manchester man struggled with an eye injury during the latter stages of his career and is unlikely to be licensed by any commission.
The 43-year-old last fought in 2017 when he was stopped by Kelvin Gastelum having lost his middleweight title to Georges St-Pierre just three weeks earlier. Bisping now works as a UFC commentator while hosting his own podcast.
Paul's shortlist also included another former UFC middleweight champion in Anderson Silva, as well as boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, Tommy Fury, brother of heavyweight world champion Tyson, ring legend Oscar De La Hoya and former rugby player Sonny Bill Williams.
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"Everyone I've fought I've carried the promotion, nobody has matched my star power so I'm looking for someone who can match my star power," the 25-year-old told THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas. "We might fight in Australia, America or the UAE. Oscar, if you're watching this man get off the couch and start training because we can make this happen."
Paul has won each of his five professional fights; against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, former basketball star Bate Robinson and against former UFC stars Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. Paul was last seen knocking out Woodley in their rematch in December and is expected to return to the ring in August.
