Ben Askren shares taunting Instagram DMs with Jake Paul as venue for April 17 bout revealed
EX-UFC star Ben Askren has revealed his private back-and-forth with Jake Paul on Instagram.
The former Olympic wrestler, who retired from MMA in November 2019, is gearing up to take on the YouTuber in a boxing match on April 17.
Social media star Paul has used his various platforms to troll Askren but recently took their mental warfare to the next level by direct messaging his opponent’s wife, Amy, on Instagram.
And the pair have now taken their war of words to their direct messages.
On Wednesday, Askren shared a video of his exchange with Paul to Instagram with the accompanying caption: “Man this next generation has some really bad role models!”
The former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champion kicked off the exchange, saying: “Hey Jake were you even trying against Ben? That was pathetic
“Hope you try a little bit harder in our fight.”
Paul was quick to respond to the jibe, replying: “Hey bubba!! So good to hear from you!!
“I know [Jorge] Masvidal gave you brain damage so I’m guessing you meant to ask if I was even trying against Nate.
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“But instead you put down your own name. Issss okay bubbaa we gonna get you through this fight nice and fast so you can retire after.
“Here’s something you could try.”
Paul followed up that message with an image of a Teaching Kids to Spell for Dummies book.
Askren responded: “Check my timeline. You got rolled up like a blunt by Ben Darmstadt. It was pathetic.
“Were you even trying or you guys like nuts on your face?”
Incensed by Askren’s reply, Paul once again brought up his opponent’s devastating KO loss to Jorge Masvidal in July 2019.
He said: “Do you remember that you got knocked out in 5 seconds. Or do you just act like it never happened?
“Your head is a c**k magnet. Have you ever smoked a blunt? I really wanna know.
“I’m guessing you lost your virginity to Amy too.”
After Paul urged him to try some molly (ecstasy), Askren signed off by saying: “Hey Jake my life is great, no need to project your self esteem issues on to me.
“If you need to do those things to feel okay about yourself then go for it.”
Askren’s clash with Paul is set to take place in Atlanta, although a venue for their bout has not yet been announced.
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Paul is brimming with confidence ahead of the fight, so much so he’s adamant Askren won’t lay a glove on him.
He told ESPN: “Go Google Ben Askren’s striking. Hahaha.
“It’s not going to go that long, it’s not going to go that long.
“I don’t even think he’ll hit me. I haven’t been hit one time in the face in my past two fights.
“So I haven’t even been punched as pro boxer one time. Nate Robinson landed one body shot in a clinch.
“I don’t think Ben Askren will even hit me. That’s my prediction.”