Jake Paul was due to take on Mike Tyson this weekend but will instead face bare-knuckle fighter and former UFC star Mike Perry

Conor McGregor appears to have backed Mike Perry to beat Jake Paul this weekend.

Perry will take on Paul in Florida on Saturday night after stepping in to replace Mike Tyson who was forced to withdraw from his fight with Paul after suffering from an inflamed ulcer. Having left the UFC, Perry has established himself as a leading bare-knuckle boxer, winning each of his five fights.

And with McGregor recently announced as a part-owner of BKFC, he looks set to back Perry against Paul. Taking to social media to share a clip from Perry’s face-off with his rival, McGregor commented: “Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in the house!”

McGregor announced his investment in BKFC, saying in a statement: ‘The Notorious Conor McGregor here. Ladies and gentlemen, the huge announcement that I have for you today, Conor McGregor myself and McGregor Sports and Entertainment is now an owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships.” BKFC president Dave Feldman added: “I think it’s just going to move the needle tremendously. We’re going to do a lot of big things. We’re going to open up a lot of new markets.”

Paul, meanwhile, has vowed to KO Perry inside two rounds. “You’re going to smell good when you get knocked the f*** out,” Paul said having recently released a new deodorant. “Two rounds, max,” Paul said. “I mean, two rounds max. Let’s be honest, brother. He’s just not a boxer. I’ve elevated to such a high level. People haven’t even seen my ability over the last year because I’ve gotten first-round knockouts. There’s no film, there’s nothing people can study out there for him to prepare for what I’m going to bring to the table.

“I’m just too sharp, too clean, I punch way too hard, power in both hands and he makes a lot of mistakes. There’s nothing he can do. I respect him. He’s very violent. It’s not taking away from Mike Perry. He could beat a lot of people but he can’t beat me.” Perry responded: “You ain’t knocking nothing out. Not me. I’m going to hurt you, bro.”

Paul will be fighting for the 11th time as a professional having made his debut against fellow social media star AnEsonGib in 2020. He has largely fought former UFC stars, including Nate Diaz and Anderson Silva, while his only defeat came against pro boxer Tommy Fury last year.