Jake Paul’s ‘Gone Silent,’ UFC Star Says After Accepting Fight

Jake Paul and Logan Paul

Getty Jake Paul (L) celebrates with his brother, Logan, after defeating AnEsonGib in a first round knockout during their fight at Meridian at Island Gardens on January 30, 2020 in Miami, Florida.

Former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren wants to box YouTuber Jake Paul, however “Funky” took to social media on Sunday to claim that Paul has “gone silent.” Askren made headlines last week when he announced that he had accepted the “Problem Child’s” offer to fight in March 2021.

On December 22, Askren said to Paul in a video, “I will see you March 28 in Los Angeles and I will humble you.” However, according to “Funky,” he hasn’t heard anything from Paul or his team since he accepted the offer. Triller, the platform that promoted Paul’s last match, recently told the Irish Mirror’s Donagh Corby that Askren vs. Paul has not been confirmed.

Askren, who retired from MMA last year, shared another video on Sunday explaining that he received a fight offer from Paul, but that nothing has moved since and he doesn’t believe the fight will happen.

“Hopefully Santa brings @jakepaul some courage for Christmas next year,” Askren wrote in the caption of the post. In the video, Funky said:

So let me give you a little recap of the situation. I’m retired, coaching wrestling, doing some podcasts, buying some Bitcoin, enjoying life. I don’t really want to fight anybody. So in November, this jabroni Jake Paul calls me out, puts up a post with my name. Haha, it’s kind of funny. Whatever, right? No big deal. Well then, a couple of weeks later I get a couple of texts. Then a week after that, I get some calls [and] I get an offer. Okay, this guy really wants to fight. Am I opposed to making some easy money beating up a YouTuber? Of course I’m not. Right? So, what do I do? Sure, Jacob, I’ll fight you. No problem, I accept publicly on Twitter nonetheless. Since then, Jacob’s gone silent. Jacob’s kind of a coward. Sorry guys, don’t think the fights happening.

Askren is known for his world-class grappling and has a professional MMA record of 19-2, with six wins coming via KO/TKO, six via submission and wins via decision. Paul’s boxing record is 2-0, winning both by knockout.

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Askren Signed With the UFC in 2019

Ben Askren & Robbie Lawler

GettyRobbie Lawler (L) and Ben Askren grapple during their welterweight bout at UFC 235 at T-Mobile Arena on March 02, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Askren was long known by MMA fans as one of the best fighters outside of the UFC and he finally signed with the promotion in 2019 as an 18-0 fighter. His first match took place in March 2019, fighting former UFC welterweight champ Robbie Lawler.

It was a gritty fight, with Askren getting slammed and rocked in the opening part of the first round. He managed to work through it and caught Lawler in a bulldog choke, forcing the referee to stop the action.


Askren Went 1-2 in the Octagon Before Retiring From the Sport

Askren then fought Jorge Masvidal in a bout that would have likely earned Funky a shot at the welterweight title. However, things did not go as planned for the undefeated fighter and he was knocked out in five seconds courtesy of a flying knee. It is the fastest knockout in UFC history.

In his final pro fight, Funky fought Demian Maia in October 2019 and was submitted in the third round. He retired with a professional record of 19-2 with one no contest.

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