This UFC legend didn’t hold back on Jake Paul being marketed as a fighter.
After beating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, the former Disney star has gained slightly more respect in the combat sports world, but not enough for industry-wide recognition.
His run-ins with MMA stars inside and outside the ring are well documented, but some fighters, such as Rampage Jackson, who used to hate Paul, have changed their minds.
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Questions have been raised over the quality of opponents and their willingness to compete with Tito Ortiz suggesting Mike Tyson pulled punches in his bout with the Ohio boxer last year.
UFC legend Vitor Belfort rebukes the claim that Jake Paul is a ‘real fighter’, says MMA finds that out
However, former three-division UFC fighter Vitor Belfort was not shy when it came to his opinions on content creators involving themselves in combat sports.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, the Brazilian did not hold back, especially on the ‘Problem Child’s’ involvement.
He said: “Jake Paul is a fighter? I say ‘what’, I understand that he is now, he created a whole different element, he is not a real fighter. I have respect for what he did, but he is not.
“He picked his opponents and he curates his career, but people think this is real boxing but it is not.
“But now we live in this world we call virtual reality, it’s not a reality, but MMA is a reality. If you sign with UFC, you are not going to be a champion because you have followers.”
Belfort did not just pick on the 27-year-old novice; he went further in his criticisms of stars with huge followings and explained why MMA differentiates the pretenders from the real athletes.
“You are going to have to fight. Look at Conor McGregor’s six last losses, six defeats. He’s great, he draws the crowd but he cannot win for six fights.
“So it shows (MMA) doesn’t care you can have all the likes you want, but you are not going to win if you don’t put the work in.”
Vitor Belfort once stopped a former undisputed cruiserweight legend in an exhibition fight
Interestingly, ‘The Phenom’ has tried his hand in the boxing ring similar to the Ohio boxer but against a Hall of Fame fighter.
Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield came out of retirement to compete in an exhibition against the then 44-year-old retired star.
Odd not only for the two fighters being paired but also for the addition of American President Donald Trump on the commentary desk.
A 58-year-old Holyfield was not fight-ready, as he was stopped in the first round after being knocked down inside the opening two minutes by a flurry of uppercuts and straight shots.
Fortunately, the 90s icon did not compete in another exhibition bout after this and did not even consider a professional return over three-minute rounds.