'Jake Paul is a scary fight for Mike Tyson for four reasons - and it isn't their age gap'

Michael Chandler has warned Mike Tyson that Jake Paul proves a tough task for him for four reasons in particular - and that their age gap should be the least of his worries. Lightweight UFC contender Chandler has made waves since jumping ship to the promotion from Bellator three years ago - and he returns to the Octagon for the first time in two years on Saturday evening to face old foe Charles Oliveira at Madison Square Garden. And while the 38-year-old's showdown with BJJ specialist Do Bronx, coupled with Jon Jones' return to the UFC to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, may seem like the cream of the crop in terms of sporting entertainment, fight fans will also be eagerly anticipating Paul's boxing bout with Tyson a day prior.

That's because Iron Mike returns to the ring in a professional capacity for the first time in 19 years when he faces 'The Problem Child' Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, later today (November 15), in a blockbuster showdown which promises fireworks from the off. Tyson currently sits on a 50-6-2 (NC) record following an illustrious career which saw him capture the WBC, WAB and IBF titles while sharing the ring with the likes of Frank Bruno, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis. Paul, meanwhile, has crafted a respectable 10-1 record since making the transition from the world of content creation to pugilism just four years ago - besting a number of former UFC stars like Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva and Mike Perry on his way to greatness.



And while many fight fans are doubting the 27-year-old's abilities in the ring, claiming that he cherry picks older opponents who are past their prime, Chandler believes that he offers four qualities in particular that could prove problematic for Tyson - none of which being his advantage of youth. Speaking exclusively to Express Sport , Chandler explained: "It worked out really, really awesome right? I’m wearing the dark, dark black Mike Tyson-esque shorts on the same weekend Iron Mike Tyson and Iron Michael are fighting. On the same weekend.

It’s a great weekend for combat sports you know? "Everyone’s got mixed emotions about it, I’ve got mixed emotions about it. Honestly, if you don’t love Mike Tyson, whether you loved his fight style or him as a person and what he has battled against and the fact that he is so willing to cry and open his heart and be emotional, and show that us fighters, yeah we’re all battling things. "We’re all battling demons but what Mike Tyson has built in his life, he was never supposed to be able to build what he built right? And he defied the odds and he’s an inspiration to so many.

Nobody wants to see Mike Tyson lose whatsoever. With that being said, obviously Jake Paul is a tougher test than most people give him credit for. "He’s a big guy, has a lot of power, he seems as though he’s taking it seriously, he believes in himself - so it’s a scary fight this weekend.

I will be tuning in on Friday night after the ceremonial weigh-ins and pray for Mike. I hope they both get out of there pretty unscathed, and may the best man win." Chandler returns to the Octagon with unfinished business this weekend when he faces Oliveira, having missed out on the UFC's lightweight title courtesy of the Brazilian in May 2021 at the very same arena he graces come Saturday evening.

Chandler was plunged into title contention after having just one fight with the UFC - a dismantling of Dan Hooker just months prior which took him just two minutes and 30 seconds to get the job done. And while 'Iron' Michael impressed in the first round against Do Bronx when the title fight came a-knocking - threatening with an incredibly tight guillotine early on before knocking Oliveira to the ground with a hard right hand - the second was a polar opposite state of affairs. Oliveira came out swinging in the second, stumbling Chandler with a looping left hook before finishing the fight with the exact same shot moments later.

Speaking about his plans for Saturday evening, Chandler said: "I’m fighting a guy that I’m familiar with, a guy that I’ve already lost to, a guy that shattered my dreams. So this is a perfect way to right a wrong and get some revenge. I respect the heck out of Charles Oliveira but I’m excited to go out there competing against him - and not just compete against him, but beat him on Saturday night.

" Jon “Bones” Jones takes on Stipe Miocic at UFC® 309: JONES vs MIOCIC on Saturday, November 16. Tune in to TNT Sports Box Office to watch the fight. TNT Sports is available through its streaming destination discovery+ and across all major TV platforms.

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