In the ever-evolving world of combat sports, cross-discipline matchups have become a thrilling spectacle for fans and fighters alike. Recently, UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley expressed his excitement over the possibility of a boxing match between UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and YouTube sensation-turned-boxer Jake Paul. O’Malley, known for his flamboyant personality and striking prowess, didn’t hold back his enthusiasm, stating, “I love the callout.”
The buzz began when Jake Paul, fresh off a victory over Mike Perry, called out Alex Pereira during his post-fight interview. Paul, who has made a name for himself by challenging and defeating former MMA fighters in the boxing ring, declared his interest in facing Pereira, a formidable striker with a decorated kickboxing background. “I want everybody,” Paul said. “I love this sport. He’s tweeted about wanting to go into boxing. We got him on the FaceTime right there in the ring. I said, ‘Yo, can you get out of your contract?’”
Alex Pereira’s Response To The Callout
Alex Pereira, known for his stoic demeanor and lethal striking, responded positively to Paul’s challenge. In a FaceTime call that quickly went viral, Pereira simply said, “Let’s go,” indicating his willingness to step into the boxing ring with Paul. This potential matchup has sparked a wave of excitement and speculation within the combat sports community.
Sean O'Malley loves the idea of Jake Paul vs Alex Pereira 👀
"Alex has crazy power in both hands but the dude literally throws from his hips. He's there to be hit…
I met that dude [Alex Pereira], f***ing scary big. His hand was like four of my hands. Bro, dude's terrifying.… pic.twitter.com/OfuBedDaNs
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 21, 2024
Sean O’Malley’s Take
Sean O’Malley, who has been making headlines with his own impressive performances in the UFC, weighed in on the potential bout. “I love the callout,” O’Malley said. “It’s great for the sport and for the fans. Seeing a UFC champion like Pereira take on someone like Jake Paul in a boxing match would be huge. It’s the kind of fight that gets everyone talking and brings more eyes to combat sports.”
O’Malley, who himself is no stranger to the spotlight, understands the appeal of such high-profile matchups. “These kinds of fights are what make the sport exciting,” he added. “It’s not just about the titles and the rankings; it’s about the stories and the personalities. Jake Paul has proven he can draw a crowd, and Pereira is a beast. It would be a clash of two very different worlds, and I think it would be awesome to watch.”
While the logistics of making this fight happen are complex, given Alex Pereira’s current UFC contract, the mere possibility has fans buzzing. Jake Paul has been vocal about his desire to face top-tier fighters and has shown a knack for promoting his bouts effectively. Pereira, on the other hand, has expressed interest in testing his skills in the boxing ring, making this potential matchup more than just a fantasy.