UFC fighter Sean O’Malley is openly worried about Jake Paul stepping into the ring against Anthony Joshua. The fight is scheduled for December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
Paul had originally been slated for an exhibition against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, which was later canceled. Instead, he is now set to face the former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua.
O’Malley reflected on the risk in a discussion on his YouTube channel, emphasizing the size difference between the fighters.
“Did you see the size difference between Anthony? Did you see how fcking huge that guy is? 6’6, 265,” O’Malley said. “This fight, as a friend of Jake, is like, I’m scared. Getting knocked out by someone like that changes lives. It doesn’t change just your career path; it can change lives. It can change the way you think. Getting knocked out, bad concussions are scary. You have one fcking brain, and he’s willing to go out there and fight. Like, that is absolutely f*cking insane. Like, it scares me.”
Surviving the Fight is Already a Victory
O’Malley explained that for Paul, even lasting the full fight without being stopped would be an achievement.
“If Jake goes to a decision and loses a decision to A.J., I think that’s a win,” O’Malley continued. “That’s a massive win. If he goes out there and goes eight, three-minute rounds with Anthony Joshua, that is a win.”
Joshua has already showcased his dominance in the ring, most notably when he defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, proving that the former MMA star had no chance against him. O’Malley’s caution highlights the stark reality of the challenge Paul faces against a fighter of Joshua’s size and experience.
The UFC bantamweight contender is scheduled to face Song Yadong in January 2026, a matchup that could further solidify his standing in the division.
