Ryan Garcia agrees with Dana White as he explains his hatred for Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis

Ryan Garcia calls Paul–Davis a mismatch; bettors should expect Jake Paul to be the heavy favorite because of his size, but Gervonta Davis' elite power makes a Davis stoppage or upset a valuable alternative bet. Expect most public money on Paul to win on points, with sharper money seeking Davis knockout or prop-value markets.

Ryan Garcia Slams Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis as a Mismatched Exhibition

Ryan Garcia has publicly criticized the upcoming Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis exhibition, calling the matchup “delusional” and arguing the size and weight gap makes the bout misleading. Garcia, who was knocked out by Davis in April 2023, says fighters should face opponents closer to their own size and accused Paul of hyping an uneven contest.

Garcia’s Main Grievances: Size, Weight and Credibility

Ryan Garcia’s central complaint is straightforward: Jake Paul has a massive size advantage. Paul is listed at 6ft 1in and has weighed as much as 227 lbs during his career, while Gervonta Davis stands around 5ft 5in and normally fights at 135 lbs. Garcia alleges Paul will make the 195-pound limit and then rehydrate well above it, creating what he calls a misleading mismatch.

Garcia called out what he views as dishonesty in hyping the fight, urging Paul to fight opponents his own size. He praised Paul’s bout with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as more legitimate because their sizes were comparable.

Paul’s Reaction and the Back-and-Forth

Paul responded by suggesting Garcia’s criticism stems from jealousy over his opportunity to face Davis. The exchange has intensified the media narrative, ensuring the bout gains high public attention ahead of fight night.

Dana White’s Take and Broader Reaction

UFC CEO Dana White echoed concerns about the matchup, criticizing the Paul brothers for facing much smaller opponents. White pointed to historical examples where size differences affected outcomes and warned the pairing could be unfair, though he also acknowledged the spectacle and attention such fights attract.

Match-up Analysis: How Size Versus Power Could Decide the Outcome

Jake Paul’s advantages: significant height and weight edge, which can translate into reach, clinch control and sustained physical pressure across rounds if weight classes are enforced loosely.

Gervonta Davis’ advantages: elite, proven knockout power and superior boxing experience at championship level. Davis’ compact frame and finishing ability make him dangerous even when size-disadvantaged.

Tactically, Paul could attempt to use range and volume to neutralize Davis, while Davis will look for fight-changing shots and openings to land a single decisive blow.

Rules and Context to Monitor

Confirm whether the contest is an exhibition or professional bout and the official weight limit and rehydration protocols. Those details dramatically affect both tactical expectations and betting markets.

Betting Implications: What Punters Should Consider

Public lines will likely favor Jake Paul due to the weight differential and spectacle narrative. That makes Paul a probable favorite in moneyline markets and for bets on a decision victory. However, Davis’ knockout history creates value for bettors seeking an upset: props for a Davis stoppage, round betting favoring an early knockout, and live-betting opportunities could offer higher returns.

Smart punters should:

• Check official weight clauses and medical rules.

• Compare early moneyline odds to prop markets (Davis KO, method-of-victory).

• Consider hedging: small stakes on Davis for bigger payoffs, larger stakes on Paul for safer returns.

• Watch betting movement for signs of sharp money (odds shifts away from public consensus).

What to Watch Before Placing a Bet

Monitor weigh-in behavior, any late changes to rules, final medical clearances, and both fighters’ recent sparring reports. Even with a size gap, Davis’ power means one well-placed punch can change the outcome, so bettors should factor in both probability and payout value when sizing wagers.

Ryan Garcia isn’t a fan of the upcoming exhibition mismatch between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis. The 27-year-old was knocked out by a body shot...

Bloody Elbow