Former UFC Champion Warns Jake Paul Not To Underestimate Ben Askren

Ben Askren is one of the mixed martial arts fighters that YouTuber Jake Paul has called out, and most feel the 23-year-old holds an edge in boxing. But former UFC and current PFL fighter Anthony Pettis thinks otherwise.

The 33-year-old, who recently made the jump to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), has close ties with “Funky” and feels that Paul may have chosen the wrong person to call out. He pointed out how Askren only gets better when he gets hurt and that Askren knows a thing or two about boxing.

"Once a guy who can actually take a punch, see blood and not be afraid - that's a real fighter. A guy that can take damage and keep coming forward. Ben can do that. Ben is one of those guys that can get hit and hit you back," Pettis told The Sun.

Paul raised his stock to another level when he knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson with a vicious right hand. Critics pointed out that the YouTuber had the advantage over the former Slam Dunk champion, especially since he has been seriously undergoing boxing training.

Askren is a certified fighter and has accomplished a lot in the cage. However, most know that things are different in the boxing ring. And Pettis has warned Paul that Askren has good boxing skills.

"Look at Nate Robinson, it didn't even look like he had a sparring session before that fight. Once he got hit you could see he wanted no part of it," Pettis explained. "That changes when you get in with a guy that accepts getting hit and hits you back. Once Jake Paul fights someone like that under the lights, when the pressure is on, that's when we'll see."

"I definitely think [Askren has] been underestimated," he continued. "Ben's strength is wrestling, his hands are only to get guys to the ground, to maintain that distance to get guys to the ground. We haven't seen much of Ben's hands so it makes sense for Jake Paul to call someone out like that instead of going for some of the big guns. But Ben's an athlete, I've trained with him and I know how good he is."

Some MMA fighters have good boxing skills, one of which is Brazilian Demian Maia. Both faced off in 2019, with Askren winning that one via TKO at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren.

A potential Paul vs. Askren fight was originally teased for March 2020. Askren accepted the fight, but the 36-year-old revealed that everything seems to have cooled down since.

Before 2020 ended, Askren posted a video on Twitter suggesting that Paul has backed out of the fight. He said Paul has gone radio-silent since he accepted the boxing match challenge from the YouTuber.

“Am I opposed to making some easy money beating up a YouTuber? Of course I’m not. Right? So what do I do? Sure, Jacob, I’ll fight you. No problem. I accept publicly on Twitter nonetheless. Since then, Jacob’s went silent. Jacob’s kind of a coward. Sorry guys, don’t think the fight is happening,” Askren stated.

There is still time to see the Paul vs. Askren fight push through. “Funky” is ready, but the same cannot be said for the 23-year-old YouTube personality.

Paul’s real target is Conor McGregor, who has not responded to any of the YouTuber’s charades. It is possible that “The Notorious” may respond after his fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on Jan. 23. If not, it may be best for the 23-year-old to consider Askren or perhaps target someone else like Dillon Danis.