Mike Tyson is one of the scariest combat sports athletes of all time.

The upcoming Netflix spectacle boxing match between the living legend Tyson and YouTube sensation-turned-pugilist Jake Paul has had a polarizing build, to say the least. “Tyson is way too old,” many have said, “Paul is picking another low-risk high-reward matchup,” exclaimed others. Ultimately, the July 20 match will count for something after initial speculation, as it will be professionally sanctioned.

Tyson, 57, is the +150 betting underdog against his 27-year-old counterpart. That sounds so very bizarre to say, considering the careers both have, but that’s mostly, if not entirely, attributed to the age gap. Despite that, longtime fight fan and UFC commentator Joe Rogan is seeing a dangerous Tyson ahead of the return. Accomplishment-wise, this is far and away the toughest test of Paul’s 10-match career (9-1).

“Mike Tyson’s mind has switched over into war,” Rogan said on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast. “He was doing this interview and someone said to him, ‘You look like you’re in your 20s. What are you doing?’ He goes, ‘I just eat raw meat.’ He goes, ‘You’re eating raw meat?’

“He goes, ‘Yeah, I’m eating raw meat because that’s what I’m going to eat when I fight. I’m going to eat him. It’s raw meat.’ I was like, Jesus Christ. He’s in this f*cking mode. He’s in that God of War mode,’ and that he’s still got that in him. And I’m telling you if you keep giving that guy hormones and you keep giving that guy supplements and he’s constantly training.”

The last time Tyson appeared in a boxing ring was in November 2020 when he fought to a split draw against fellow legend, Roy Jones Jr., in an exhibition match. Regardless of the official result, most who watched the match felt “Iron Mike” had his way with “RJJ.”

In terms of professional matches, Paul will be Tyson’s first since his loss to Kevin McBride in 2005. Tyson has the edge over Paul with 48 more fights on his resume (50-6, 2 NC) and some of the most vicious knockouts in boxing history.

The former boxing heavyweight champion is largely considered one of the most powerful knockout artists in the sport’s history. Going back to Rogan, he’s put Tyson on that mantle for the longest of times and only recently has contemplated fighters like Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou as being more fearsome.

No matter the age, power is typically the last thing to go. By comparison to Paul’s past opposition, he’ll still need to watch out for those patented “Iron” fists.

“He’s in savage mode,” Rogan said. “If I was Jake Paul right now, I would be sh*tting my pants. It’s all the experiences that he has had as a conqueror. You have to take those into consideration. When a man has smashed men before, just smashed men, like, when no one can stand in front of him, that is in his mind still.

“That’s in there. There’s a dark chamber in his mind that he can open up, and I think he’s got it open. The question is, can his body move along with it? But that part of his mind, like, you’re clearly seeing. He’s terrifying when he’s in the zone.”

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VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

This Is CineMMA.

UFC Journey: Barboza-Murphy.

UFC Vegas 92 Media Day.

UFC Fans Choice: Top 10 Debuts.

Free fight.

Bellator Paris Fight Week.

The perfect kick.

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LISTEN UP

No Bets Barred. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Conner Burks break down Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, UFC Vegas 92, and Bellator Paris.

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MORNING MUSIC

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or find one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re currently really into. I’ll pick the best one alongside my daily choice and give you a shoutout! You can also share in the comments below — those are just harder to sift through sometimes!

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Interesting background choice.

Behind the curtain.

Caution.

A different push.

Beefs.

Do Bronx’s big moment.

An unexpected duo.

Everyone’s getting creative now.

Usman.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dan Ige (18-7) vs. Joanderson Brito (17-3-1); UFC Vegas 94, July 20

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FINAL THOUGHTS

It never really dawned on me until now that the only thing cowboy-ish about the Cowboys’ mascot is the hat.

Thanks for reading!

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EXIT POLL

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