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Social media star Jake Paul to fight ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley

Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (R), shown on July 21, 2018, recently fought out his UFC contract, making him a free agent. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (R), shown on July 21, 2018, recently fought out his UFC contract, making him a free agent. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

June 1 (UPI) -- Social media influencer Jake Paul will square off with former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in a boxing match this summer, it was announced Tuesday.

Paul and Woodley said the 190-pound bout currently is scheduled for Aug. 28. Multiple host cities are still under consideration, according to ESPN, though an official announcement on the date and venue is expected soon.

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The boxing match will be a pro bout -- Paul's fourth and Woodley's first -- and will take place in a 20x20 ring with 10-ounce gloves. The pay-per-view event will be shown on Showtime, and fans are expected to be in attendance.

MMA Island first reported the fight between Paul and Woodley.

"I have a list of people I plan on shutting up with my fists," Paul said in a statement. "And as I enter my fourth pro fight, I am excited to knock the first one off the list by challenging myself against a five-time UFC champion known for his knockout power. Tyron's a seasoned striker who has fought the best in the world.

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"I certainly respect his career, but I will be sending Tyron into a permanent siesta on August 28. Maybe this time [UFC President] Dana White will actually be a man and put his money on his former champion instead of trying to undermine my success like a jealous ex. Influencer vs. MMA: let's get it on. It's showtime."

This will be the second consecutive fight in which Paul faces a former UFC fighter in a boxing match. He knocked out Woodley's teammate and friend Ben Askren in less than two minutes in April.

Woodley was in Askren's corner for that bout and got into a verbal confrontation with Paul and his team before the fight, setting up this summer's showdown.

The 39-year-old Woodley, who captured the UFC welterweight title in 2016 and successfully defended it four times, recently fought out his UFC contract, making him a free agent. He left the promotion with a 19-7-1 record.

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"Easiest fight of my career and biggest purse of my career all in one night," Woodley said. "Basically, they brought me in to take out the trash. I can't wait to shut this [expletive] up. This is getting done for the culture, the whole MMA community and boxing community, to rid this guy of combat sports."

The 24-year-old Paul, one of the most popular social media stars, made his pro debut in January 2020. He earned a first-round TKO victory over fellow influencer "AnEsonGib" in his first bout, then knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson in the first round late last year.

Paul knocked out Askren two months ago to set the stage for his fourth boxing match.

Woodley and Paul are scheduled to face off for the first time Thursday in Miami, according to ESPN. The pre-fight event will take place just days before Paul's older brother, Logan, who also is a social media influencer turned aspiring boxer, fights Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an exhibition boxing bout.

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