UFC legend Daniel Cormier has rubbished a comparison between YouTube star Jake Paul and Muhammad Ali.
YouTube star Paul has launched a successful career in the boxing ring which has culminated in six victories as a professional since entering the scene as an influencer. The 'Problem Child' has also tried his hand at promotion where he has launched his own label, Most Valuable Promotions, which includes female star Amanda Serrano.
Last month, it was announced Paul would now look to make a new influence in MMA after signing a deal to fight and promote with rising label PFL. After inking the new contract, the organisation's founder Donn Davis drew comparison between Paul's promotional skills to legendary heavyweight Ali.
“If you look at each of them individually, Jake is the best marketer and promoter we’ve seen in combat sports ever. Ever. Maybe since Muhammad Ali,” Davis told TSN after the signature. “So, we have one of the best businessmen in pay-per-view and we have one of the best promoters and marketers in pay-per-view now exclusively on the PFL platform to help us build that division. Couldn’t be more exciting."
But UFC legend Daniel Cormier, who has previously been involved in a heated confrontation with Paul, has immediately trashed the comparison pointing out the success of Ali outside of the sport. "Is there a comparison between Jake Paul and Muhammad Ali?," Cormier said when brutally dismissing the comparison on his YouTube channel.
"Because we know that Muhammad Ali is the greatest promoter of our generation, of his generation. Muhammad Ali's the greatest promoter in the history of combat sports. I don't agree, but the venture capitalist Donn Davis does. He stated that if you look at each of them individually, Jake is the best marketing promoter we've ever seen in combat sports - maybe since Muhammad Ali.
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"The Paul brothers are social giants, and I talked about Jake Paul a few weeks ago, how I have a newfound respect for him. That's absolutely true, but anytime you place anyone in a category with Muhammad Ali, you are going to get kickback, especially a category that he dominated, but come on Donn Davis, you're putting them on the same level as Muhammad Ali? We all lie, but come on, man."
Paul is expected to fight in the promotion's 'super-fight' division but this will not be until 2024 while he focuses on his upcoming clash with Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia on February 26. Despite not yet planning his official debut, Paul has already set his sights on an opponent for his maiden appearance and elected to offer UFC star Nate Diaz a two-fight offer in public to clash both in the cage and the boxing ring.
