The UFC's hot contender Michael Chandler, believes Jake Paul made the right move in selecting Ben Askren as his next boxing opponent - but also cautions that nobody should rule Akren out.
Chandler doesn't see an issue with these odd cross-sport fights taking place.
Paul is 2-0 with 2 knockouts as boxer.
In his last fight, Paul brutally knocked out NBA star Nate Robinson in two rounds, as part of the pay-per-view undercard to the exhibition clash between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.
Askren retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 after suffering back to back defeats in the UFC. Until that point, he racked up 19 straight wins during his runs in Bellator, One Championship and UFC.
Paul called out numerous MMA fighters and pro boxers, but settled on Askren.
Their pay-per-view fight takes place on April 17, at a location to be determined.
Chandler, who wrestled with Askren at the University of Missouri, believes there is certainly room for a big upset.
"Let’s be honest, Ben isn’t the most talented striker. If you are Jake Paul you chose the right mixed martial artist to step inside the boxing ring," Chandler told The Pat McAfee Show.
“But, I’m telling you right now, don’t overlook my man Ben. Number one, I hope he is getting paid a grip. Number two, I’m tuning in, I might even be there boxing ringside because that will be a fun one. I think it is awesome.
"Truthfully, I would never hate on anybody for making a living and doing what they are doing. The Paul brothers, fighting [Floyd] Mayweather and the basketball player and KSI. It is not a real sport necessarily but it is fun to watch. It is good for the sport, it is entertainment and you will see it more and more.”
