Video: Face it, MMA fans – Jake Paul had a big impact on our sport in 2021

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel takes a look back at the impact Jake Paul had on MMA in 2021, even though he’s a boxer.

For as much grief as Jake Paul seems to get from hardcore MMA fans, he sure seems to be having a big impact on the sport.

Paul, a 24-year-old YouTube star-turned-boxer, boxed three times in 2021 – all against former MMA champions. In April, he knocked out former Bellator and ONE champ Ben Askren with one punch. In August, he outworked former UFC champ Tyron Woodley to a split decision. And then earlier this month in their rematch, he took out Woodley with one punch, as well.

Like it or not, Paul has become a big draw in boxing – and a big pay day for his opponents, both Askren and Woodley have said. And he continues to call out some of MMA’s biggest names – which regularly draws the ire and annoyance of UFC president Dana White.

So what do we make of Paul’s impact on MMA, even though he’s not likely to ever step foot in a cage to compete outside boxing? Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura discuss Paul’s rise to prominence in 2021 with host John Morgan.

Check out the discussion in the clip above and watch the full episode in the video below.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.