The July 20 bout has been eagerly anticipated

The upcoming bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is getting closer and closer. Fans are waiting for the bell to ring at AT&T Stadium on July 20, when former heavyweight champion Tyson and one-time YouTube star Paul will duke it out in a fully-sanctioned professional fight in Arlington, Texas — and opinion remains divided on who will emerge victorious.

Tyson’s last professional fight took place in 2005, and the 57-year-old has attempted to assuage concerns that he is too old to be making a return to the ring against an opponent who is 30 years his junior. Paul, with only 10 career fights under his belt, has yet to face an opponent with Tyson’s reputation — but even still, a former mixed martial arts star has said the “Iron Mike” should be worried about the “Problem Child” this summer.

Former MMA star Sonnen predicts a Paul win

In a video posted to his YouTube channel on Saturday, former UFC light heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen predicted a clear victory for Paul on July 20 — even though the best victory of Paul’s career remains his 10th-round win over Nate Diaz last August.

To explain, Sonnen drew a parallel between this fight and Tyson’s last pro bout in 2005, against Kevin McBride. The “Clones Colossus” defeated Tyson by technical knockout after Tyson refused to answer the bell for the seventh round, instantly awarding the victory to McBride even though he was behind Tyson on two of the judges’ scorecards.

“Kevin McBride, back then that beat the hell (out of Tyson) and sent him into retirement,” Sonnen said. “If that version of Kevin McBride vs. Jake Paul fought right now, Jake Paul would beat him.”

Sonnen’s confidence will be a boost to Paul, although one of the fight’s rules could benefit Tyson immensely. The two-minute rounds will allow the “Baddest Man on the Planet” to conserve his strength and land quicker blows on Paul, who lacks the decades of experience in ring that Tyson has.