UK NEWS – UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has decisively shut down Jake Paul’s repeated attempts to engage him in a boxing match, citing his ongoing commitments with the UFC. Despite Paul’s persistent call-outs and bold claims, Pereira has made it clear that a showdown with the YouTuber-turned-boxer isn’t happening anytime soon. The Brazilian fighter’s response has not only silenced Paul’s challenge but also highlighted the different leagues the two athletes are playing in.

Pereira’s recent victory against Khalil Rountree Jr., where he defended his light-heavyweight title, has cemented his status as a top-tier fighter. In a grueling bout held earlier this month at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Pereira showcased his power, knocking out a battered and exhausted Rountree in the fourth round. This win, Pereira’s third in 2023, demonstrated his dominance in the UFC, making Paul’s repeated call-outs seem more like a publicity stunt than a legitimate challenge.

In a conversation with Adin Ross, Paul, ever the showman, was quick to critique Pereira’s performance against Rountree, claiming that the Brazilian had weaknesses he could exploit in a boxing match. “One thousand percent I would beat him,” Paul said, pointing out that Rountree had exposed Pereira’s vulnerability to body shots. According to Paul, while Pereira might be a formidable opponent in MMA, boxing is a different sport, and he believes he has the upper hand. Paul suggested that if Pereira could somehow exit his UFC contract, the fight could happen, echoing what Nate Diaz had done.

Paul’s persistence didn’t stop there. After his victory over Mike Perry in a recent bout, Paul used the spotlight to call out Pereira once again, declaring, “I’m the king of this. Come over. We can make it happen.” He boldly claimed that after his fight with Mike Tyson, he wanted Pereira next, adding fuel to his ongoing campaign to secure a match with the UFC champion. However, Pereira’s focus remains on his UFC career, and he’s not biting on Paul’s bait.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Pereira addressed Paul’s repeated challenges head-on, explaining why the fight was unlikely to happen. “I’m under contract to the UFC and I can’t just leave,” Pereira said, implying that Paul is well aware of his contractual obligations. Pereira also suggested that if the UFC allowed its fighters to participate in external boxing matches, Paul likely wouldn’t be so eager to issue these challenges. By highlighting the structural differences between their respective sports, Pereira effectively shut down the idea of a potential fight.

While Pereira takes a brief break from the octagon, he remains focused on his UFC career, with plans to return in early 2024. He’s eyeing a fight with the winner of the upcoming Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic match, which will determine his next opponent. As for Jake Paul, the 27-year-old has his hands full as he prepares for his highly publicized November fight against boxing legend Mike Tyson.

In the same interview, Pereira also had strong words for rival Jamahal Hill, who criticized his performance against Rountree. Pereira, not one to shy away from confrontation, fired back, questioning Hill’s judgment and pointing out that if his fight with Rountree was subpar, Hill’s own performance in their previous bout would rank even lower. Pereira made it clear he’s on a different level, dismissing Hill’s critique with confidence.

While Paul continues to stir up headlines with his call-outs, Pereira’s focus remains firmly on the UFC, leaving fans to speculate whether a future showdown between the two will ever materialize. For now, Pereira’s message to Paul is clear: stick to your lane, because the UFC champion has bigger battles ahead.