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via Getty

via Getty

YouTuber turned boxer, Jake Paul has been constantly under the limelight ever since he stepped inside the ring. From calling out UFC elites to fighting some of them, he never seems to get away from them. The boxer is currently at loggerheads with Dana White over the compensation issues of UFC fighters.

While he is still undefeated, he has come under the scanner multiple times for fighting those who are considerably shorter than him. But he is unperturbed by the allegations. In an interview given to MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, the fighter expressed his desire to fight UFC elites Kamaru Usman and Nate Diaz to show his worth.

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“You know, I have been coming into this sport in a different way. So people are going to be upset no matter what I do,” he said. “If I breathe, they gonna criticize, you know. I don’t mind it.”

“Tyron and I are both walking around 200 pounds… I wanna fight the bigger guys. I wanna fight Kamaru Usman, I wanna fight Nate Diaz. There are multiple people on the hit list. I wanna fight Tomy Fury. I wanna get into these straps (and) I’m just doing the fights as quick as we can make it happen,” he added.

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Jake is gearing up to face Woodley later this month. After his initial success, this fight could be his toughest test yet, as Woodley is a legitimate prizefighter. The latter, though, would hope for a reversal in fortunes as he is currently 0-4 in his last 4 fights.

Jake Paul on mental aspects of fighting

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While it’s true that physical strength comes in handy in a fight, but it’s more of a mental strength that brings in the victory. Paul, who is going to fight Woodley, knows the striking power Woodley possesses but thinks it’s nothing if he is not mentally prepared to absorb the pressure.

“You have to be mentally prepared. He’s an elite athlete; he’s physically strong; he has knockout power; he’s done this a bunch of times,” Paul added. “But if mentally you aren’t ready? If mentally you don’t think you’re gonna win, then it’s not gonna happen.”

via Imago

It will be a big test for both fighters. While Jake knows he is about to face a man who has fighting richness installed in him, Woodley would hope not to stutter in his first boxing match.

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READ MORE: ‘You Are Losing, You Look Dumb’- Jake Paul Believes Conor McGregor’s MMA Career Is Over Now