In the thrilling crossover between MMA and boxing, who truly shines when the UFC legend steps into the squared circle? Dive into this debate that's got fight fans buzzing and scratching their heads—because believe it or not, Terence Crawford is tipping his hat to Conor McGregor over Jake Paul in the boxing ring.
As we kick off today's Morning Report, let's unpack Crawford's fresh take on these high-profile crossovers, where athletes from different worlds clash in a spectacle that's equal parts entertainment and pugilism. During a lively Kick stream with Adin Ross—check it out here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzfc2oMwPVM)—the boxing superstar was quizzed about McGregor's iconic 2017 showdown against the untouchable Floyd Mayweather Jr. McGregor, the former UFC two-division champ, held his own admirably against Mayweather before a blistering flurry in the 10th round forced the ref to wave it off.
This remains the sole professional boxing match for the Irish phenom. Contrast that with Jake Paul, who's racked up 14 pro fights and recently leveled up by facing off against the formidable Anthony Joshua, the two-time heavyweight belt holder who dropped Paul with a knockout in round six.
When weighing these two, Crawford firmly backs McGregor ahead of 'The Problem Child.' And this is the part most people miss—Crawford isn't just picking a side; he's dissecting the performances with a critical eye. 'McGregor actually did—to me, he did real good against Floyd when he was boxing. He did better than I thought he would do. He did better than Jake Paul did against Anthony Joshua. And he landed some good shots on Floyd, so I have to say he did pretty good. He did better than I thought he would.'
Crawford even nods to Logan's outing against Mayweather in that 2021 exhibition bout, noting that both McGregor and Logan outperformed expectations against the boxing great, despite their size advantages. The Logan-Mayweather clash wasn't officially scored, but Logan managed to last eight rounds against a legend, showcasing endurance if not dominance.
Jake's tilt with Joshua was a fully sanctioned pro event, yet the judges stayed on the sidelines. 'I knew what was going to happen. … Everybody in the world that knows boxing knows if it wasn’t scripted, that he was getting knocked out,' Crawford remarked bluntly. But here's where it gets controversial—while Paul endured over five rounds, Crawford views the fight as largely a sham, with Paul clinging to Joshua's legs to dodge counters, a tactic that kept him in the game longer than his skills might have otherwise allowed.
'[AJ was just trying to cut the ring—well, he really wasn’t trying to cut the ring off—but he was just trying to catch up to him,' Crawford explained. 'Jake is an athlete, so his movement was catching AJ off guard.' To clarify for newcomers: 'Cutting the ring' means strategically maneuvering to control space and force your opponent into corners or traps, a fundamental boxing strategy. Paul, as an athlete, used his speed to stay elusive, surprising Joshua.
Crawford didn't stop there, adding, '[Paul is] definitely a better fighter now, for sure.' This suggests Paul's growth through experience, evolving from YouTube fame to a more polished competitor. For beginners who might not know, Paul started as an influencer and boxer, and his bouts against pros like Joshua highlight the stark differences between exhibition and true championship-level fights.
But let's expand on this a bit: Imagine if McGregor had fought more boxing matches—could he have developed into a force like Mayweather? Or is Paul's multiple outings a sign he's leveling up faster? These crossovers blur lines, making us question if MMA skills translate directly to boxing. What do you think—does McGregor's one-and-done performance trump Paul's repeated attempts? Share your hot takes in the comments; I'd love to hear agreements or fiery disagreements!
TOP STORIES
Fight of the Year (FOTY): Joshua Van's epic battle against Brandon Royval snagged the 2025 Fight of the Year award (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/463550/mma-fightings-2025-fight-of-the-year-joshua-van-vs-brandon-royval), a nod to their thrilling showdown that had fans on the edge.
Submission of the Year (SOTY): Costello Van Steenis clinched Submission of the Year for 2025 (https://www.mmafighting.com/pfl/463490/mma-fightings-2025-submission-of-the-year-costello-van-steenis-vs-johnny-eblen), showcasing a technique that's a game-changer in mixed martial arts.
Breakthrough Fighter: Joshua Van also walked away with Breakthrough Fighter of the Year honors for 2025 (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/463286/mma-fightings-2025-breakthrough-fighter-of-the-year-joshua-van), proving his rise as a rising star.
Drama Alert: Islam Makhachev fires back at Ilia Topuria's threat toward Khabib Nurmagomedov, calling it 'He’s unhappy about something' (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/463742/islam-makhachev-responds-to-ilia-topuria-threatening-khabib-nurmagomedov-hes-unhappy-about-something)—rivalries heating up!
Rivalry Reflections: 'I hope he never loses'—Israel Adesanya opens up on his fierce rivalry with Alex Pereira (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/463665/i-hope-he-never-loses-israel-adesanya-reflects-on-rivalry-with-alex-pereira), a deep dive into respect and competition.
Holiday Fun: Since we skipped Christmas, here's a whimsical read on Santas duking it out (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/463417/the-battle-for-christmas-redux-which-santa-claus-reigns-supreme)—because why not imagine festive fighters?
VIDEO STEW
Catch up on MMA Fighting’s 2025 Year-End Awards Show if you missed it.
We joined the Submission Radio party—watch the fun unfold!
Try this at home? Maybe not, but it's entertaining.
DC uncovered some exclusive scoops—stay tuned.
Wild recoveries defined the year; think come-from-behind wins that defied odds.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Straight facts dropping in the timeline.
Jared, you're amazing—keep it up!
Congrats to the winners!
Lend a hand to the champs.
Can you apply a heel hook without actual heels? Karate Combat is testing the waters.
Is AKA the ultimate MMA squad of all time? Debate ensues.
That's a killer poster—though, let's not actually book that bout.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Wishing everyone a joyful and relaxing holiday season, and if your break is still ongoing, enjoy every moment. Gear up for RIZIN's end-of-year event this week, then brace for the UFC's comeback in just a few weeks. Stay safe and take care of yourselves. — Lee
EXIT POLL
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What sparks your curiosity here? Do you side with Crawford on McGregor edging out Paul, or is Paul's growth the real story? Could these crossovers ever be taken as seriously as pure boxing? Drop your opinions below—let's discuss!
