Jake Paul challenged to bare knuckle boxing match by MMA star

The Pauls continue to dominate headlines in the world of combat sports

Jake Paul has been challenged to a bare-knuckle boxing match by MMA star Hector Lombard. Lombard competed in the UFC between 2012 and 2015, and won the Bare Knuckle FC Cruiserweight Championship on June 26, this year. Jake Paul's last outing in the ring saw him knock out UFC star Ben Askren in the first round, though the bout was criticised as Askren's pedigree is in wrestling, not boxing. Next up for Jake Paul is decorated UFC welterweight Tyron Woodley, again in the boxing ring. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQJknudrsNA/ Although Lombard has called Paul out for a bare-knuckle bout, he doesn't think the YouTuber has what it takes to step up to the plate. Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, Lombard said: "I don't think he's ever going to have the balls to fight bareknuckle." Somewhat surprisingly however, Lombard admitted he was a fan of Paul's combat exploits. "This is a guy I've been supporting, Jake Paul, way before anybody. "I remember when I said on my Instagram that Jake Paul was going to K.O. Ben Askren, a lot of people laughed at me. "But Ben Askren sucks at boxing, so I was right. Jake Paul is a good athlete, but I don't think he's got the (guts) to ever take the gloves off and fight bareknuckle. I don't think so. And he can prove me wrong." It remains to be seen whether Jake Paul will rise to Lombard's challenge, but the YouTuber has been busy making enemies of his own. In the wake of Nate Diaz' loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 263, Paul promptly called Diaz out on Twitter - going so far as to claim he would "knock out" the 36-year-old fan favourite. https://twitter.com/jakepaul/status/1403921114347184136?s=20 You might be waiting a while before the Paul brothers get a shot at glory in the UFC or any other mixed martial arts promotion. Speaking to JOE ahead of his light-heavyweight bout with Jamahal Hill, Scotland's Paul Craig said MMA would be a step too far for the YouTubers. https://twitter.com/JOE_co_uk/status/1403063920957530115?s=20 "When you're boxing, all you have to worry about is hands," said Craig. "You've only got one skill (with boxing), but you have to worry about grappling, wrestling, judo, striking, kickboxing... You've got all these variations (in MMA) and I think it's too dangerous."