Unlike many of his fellow fighters, UFC standout Justin Gaethje holds a unique perspective on Jake Paul`s boxing career.
Few figures in combat sports have stirred as much debate as Paul lately. The Cleveland native initially entered the boxing world by competing against other YouTubers and athletes, but has since challenged several well-known fighters.
Following a victory over MMA veteran Ben Askren, `The Problem Child` maintained his undefeated record with a close decision win against Tyron Woodley. The subsequent immediate rematch saw Paul deliver a brutal knockout, surprising the former UFC champion and many MMA fans.
While Paul has stated his ambition to win boxing championships, he frequently faces criticism regarding his opponents. This criticism followed wins against MMA veterans like Nate Diaz and Anderson Silva, but intensified significantly when his most recent opponent was 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Many UFC fighters are among those critical of the online personality. However, Justin Gaethje is not one of them.
Justin Gaethje Praises Jake Paul for Operating Independently in Combat Sports
Appearing recently on The Makeshift Podcast, Gaethje shared his perspective on celebrity boxing and the current trend of cross-sport matchups.
In contrast to public criticism from figures like Michael Bisping and Dana White regarding Paul`s boxing ventures, Gaethje expressed only admiration for the former Disney star`s approach.
“I mean, Jake Paul is a genius,” Gaethje stated.
He continued, “What he did is so f—— awesome. Because nobody owns him, nothing owns him, and he didn’t have to go through the double A, the whole circuit.”
Despite his praise, `The Highlight` predicted that the trend of celebrities entering the boxing ring would quickly fade.
Gaethje added, “But I don’t think it’s going to (stay) a mainstream thing. (Paul’s) doing it less and less. Because they lose a lot of money, whoever’s paying for it.”
Jake Paul`s Upcoming Boxing Match Following Mike Tyson Bout
Currently, the Cleveland native remains active in boxing, with his next fight scheduled soon.
Paul is slated to face former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. They are scheduled to headline an event at the Honda Center in Anaheim on June 28.
Notably, the YouTube star`s upcoming match is on the same date as UFC 317, the final event of the MMA promotion`s International Fight Week.
A win for Paul would extend his winning streak to six fights since his close decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023, although critics often dispute the significance of his victories, particularly against opponents like Tyson.
