Markus Perez Details Sparring Session with Social Media Star Jake Paul: ‘He is Not a Fighter’

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One month after being released from the UFC, middleweight American Top Team fighter Markus Perez accepted an invitation from Jake Paul´s team to help him with sparring to prepare for his boxing match against Ben Askren on April 17.

In an interview with Brazilian outlet AgFight, “Maluko” detailed how what was supposed to be a friendly training session turned into a war. Perez immediately felt disrespected upon his introduction to the YouTube personality.

“To tell you the truth I had no idea who he was, but when someone related to him offered me $300 (to train with him), I decided to accept. When I arrived at his house with my friend Alexandre Pantoja, I politely went to greet everyone,” Perez said. “But when I went to shake hands, he gave me a closed fist. Then I looked at Pantoja and asked, ‘That was the guy I came to help?’”

Once Perez and Paul hit the ring to spar, intensity quickly reached levels beyond what is normal for that type of session.

“He started the sparring going hard, and I hit him with a jab in the end of the first round and his nose started to bleed. From that point on we started to fight,” Perez said. “I called for him to beat me up and he was afraid, just circling and staying out of my range. Of course, he is able to box and has a good cross, but he is clearly not a fighter -- just an adventurous (type).”

Based on that experience, Perez sees Askren, a former Bellator and One Championship title holder, as a clear favorite in the matchup.

"Askren is a real fighter,” Perez said. “He will close the distance and beat him up around the body and liver, just like I did. A fight is always a fight, anything can happen, but I believe he will knock Paul out around the second or third round.”

The Brazilian, who remains without a promotional home, said he didn’t receive the full $300 for the session that was initially promised by Paul’s team.

“They just gave me $150,” he said. “But in that regard, I have to support their attitude. I also wouldn’t pay $300 for someone who kicked my ass, the way I did with him.”

Paul and Askren will square off in the main event of a Triller Fight Club-promoted card at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday. The card, which also includes a heavyweight clash between former UFC champ Frank Mir and Steve Cunningham, starts at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. ET and is available via Fite TV for $49.99.