"Maybe not even $2 mil"- Former UFC champion's co-host highlights pay disparity between Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
The much-hyped boxing spectacle between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson on Friday is reaching a fever pitch. Despite the age disparity between Paul (27) and Tyson (58), the media and fans can't stop talking about the eight-round battle between the YouTuber-turned-fighter and aging boxing legend.
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and his podcast co-host Bear Degidio spoke about the Paul-Tyson fight on their podcast, JAXXON PODCAST, on YouTube.
With former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee present as guests, the quintet discussed the pay disparity between UFC fighters and boxing stars.
Jackson mentioned how main-event fighters in boxing (like Tyson, Paul, etc) are making way more money than main-event fighters in the UFC. He speculated that UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is making approximately $8 million for headlining UFC 309, happening on the same weekend as Paul-Tyson.
By contrast, Degidio said:
"Jake Paul is getting $40 mil. Mike Tyson is getting $20 mil. And those are guaranteed."
To add, Rockhold mentioned Jones' opponent at UFC 309, former two-division UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic:
"I guarantee Stipe [Miocic] is not getting more than $2 mil. $2 mil at most for Stipe, the best heavyweight of all time. Maybe not even $2 mil."
These are pure speculation, of course, as these men are merely estimating the pay grade of fighters today based on their own experiences. It is, however, a largely known fact that main-event boxing stars are getting paid way more than main-event MMA stars today.
Watch their conversation here (42:07):
Rampage Jackson and Luke Rockhold provide their prediction for Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight
Near the end of the podcast, Degidio asked everyone in the room who they were picking to win between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. McKee had a short answer, pulling for 'Iron' Mike to get his hand raised.
Luke Rockhold, disagreed, saying (1:09:00):
"[We're] talking 58-years-old [Tyson]. Jake [can] go in there for a few rounds and just play defense. If he just goes down there for three rounds and just weathers him, Mike's gonna fade in two or three rounds. He ain't gonna have much left to do."
Jackson seconded it, saying (1:09:16):
"My heart is with Mike Tyson. I really want him to win, but I kinda agree with what Luke [Rockhold] said. If Jake Paul comes in with a smart game plan and try to tire him out, it could be dangerous for Mike."
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson happens live on November 15 inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, broadcasted live around the world by Netflix.