Jake Paul's next opponent Hasim Rahman Jr has claimed he would "destroy" any of the UFC's top heavyweights after president Dana White's criticism.
Paul was set to face British star Tommy Fury in a second attempt to settle their long-term rivalry, but the fight collapsed after Fury was banned from entering the US. Instead the YouTube star has replaced Fury with professional fighter Rahman Jr who currently holds a record of 12 victories and one defeat.
UFC president Dana White hit out at Paul's choice of opponent during a recent press conference, when he said: "[Rahman Jr] just got knocked out, why not go after the guy who knocked him out?" Rahman Jr has now responded claiming that he will slap White in the mouth if he sees him after his comments.
"First of all I wasn't knocked out, I was stopped," Rahman Jr told DAZN Boxing when responding to White's criticism. "I got stopped and Dana White could put anyone in there with me, Francis Ngannou and if you put them in there with me I will destroy them. He knows that and he is not going to put any of his fighters in there, so I won't put much weight on what he says. I'd even get in the cage with these guys too.
"He doesn't want his fighters taking on boxers anyway. However Dana White wants to do it we can do it. He doesn't even know me and he is speaking on me but Dana White will get slapped in his mouth if he comes and talks crazy to me.
"We do this you have to respect warriors and others in the sport, I respect his guys over there and he would never talk like that to my face. When I see him he would be like 'nice to meet you champ' and I am glad Jake has been exposing how fake he is in the combat sports world."
Paul has been in a bitter feud with White for several months, having frequently been outspoken on issues inside the UFC including fighter pay and healthcare. The YouTube star is also trying to attract some of the UFC's top talent to compete against him in the boxing ring including Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz.
White has consistently responded to Paul's verbal barbs and has even had his say on Paul's short boxing career. However the UFC president has since stopped responding to Paul's social media attacks after the YouTube star dropped a 'diss track' aimed at him earlier this year.
Paul has even entertained the opportunity of fighting in the UFC in the future and is willing to fight for free providing action is taken on the pay structure. However White isn't too keen on the idea, responding: "To me it isn't a thing. I couldn't care less. He's a pay-per-view turd. I would never say never but that's the last f***ing thing on earth I'm thinking about."
