“Trojan Horse to Get the UFC on Netflix” – Ex-UFC HW Exposes Motives Behind Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Boxing Bout

Brendan Schaub thinks the upcoming Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match is fixed and is a purely business move by Tyson, Paul, and Netflix. ‘Big Brown’, a former UFC heavyweight and consummate podcaster, who talks MMA with co-host and friend Bryan Callen, was recently savaged by UFC CEO Dana White. White posted a hilarious video blasting MMA figures including Schaub for criticizing UFC 300 matchmaking (which turned out to be a roaring success) prior to the mega-card.

Once bitten, Schaub is not twice as shy, however. He came out with another hot take about another big combat sports event as he discussed the July 20 Tyson-Paul bout, which will be Netflix’s first foray into the fight game.

In the run-up to the bout, Mike Tyson released a video of him hitting the pads, looking remarkably sharp and quick for 57. Schaub and Callen watched the clip, but the former UFC star was unimpressed. “Here’s my question why isn’t it longer than 15 seconds?” he asked, implying Tyson was not capable of doing what was shown in the video for any extended period of time.

He then claimed that the outcome of the fight was a foregone conclusion, essentially a marketing gimmick for Netflix to introduce, of all things, Dana White-led UFC to the platform. “This fight’s going to go to a decision, there’d be no winner. There’d be a big draw, though. It’d be good for boxing, it’s a trojan horse to get the UFC on Netflix,” he said.

Schaub predicted that neither man will really enter the ring looking for a real fight, pointing to the cordial relationship and history between the two boxers as the reason behind it. Schaub was confident the bout would end in a draw.

“They’re gonna hit to the body. Remember Jake Paul, his first fight ever was on Mike Tyson’s card. They’re in cahoots together. This is big money play. It goes to the judges but there’s no judges, so nobody [is going to win]. It’s going to be a draw, yeah. I’d bet my last dollar that’s a draw. Good for them, though, you know. Good for Tyson,” he said. And perhaps just as well for Tyson, since he is not expected to do well in the fight against the 27-year-old Paul.

Mike Tyson not expected to do well given his age and health

Mike Tyson, 57 is three decades older than Paul, and suffers from a bevy of health issues, including mobility issues, especially in his knees. ‘The Problem Child’ on the other hand, is in his athletic prime and is coming off of three wins in 2023 alone. Contrast this with ‘Iron Mike’, who hasn’t fought since his retirement nearly two decades ago, except for an easy exhibition against boxing maestro Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. Not many are giving the former heavyweight champ much of a chance.

However, some, such as martial artist and Hollywood star Michael Jai White (who has remarkably accurate and prescient fight predictions) have spoken out in Tyson’s favor, citing the latter’s size, legendary power, and boxing skills as the difference-maker.

But Schaub, of course, thinks it would not come down to the power or skills of either man, since they’re essentially going in for some glorified friendly sparring. There may be some truth to the claim, given Tyson is certainly not oblivious to the dangers of the bout, and has spoken openly about being scared of taking too much damage even in his fighting days. Even if it is true, Mike Tyson even two decades after his retirement is perhaps the most famous and beloved fighter in the world. Just watching him fight, even in a pre-determined bout, would be a privilege that many many fight fans would happily pay to see.