In the ultimate sports crossover, former NBA All-Star Deron Williams is set to join the Jake Paul/Tommy Fury card to fight NFL running back Frank Gore.
The UFC has provided a fascinating open forum by which former and current athletes from all forms of sport can come battle it out in the ring.
After all, that’s how Jake Paul, who rose to Internet fame through his brother Logan’s YouTube vlogs, has now become a marquee name on premier boxing fight cards.
Of course, Paul, who guarantees his wins, strategically picks opponents who are safer bets than others. It’s why Paul is set to take on Tommy Fury on Dec. 18 rather than Tommy’s brother, famous British boxer Tyson Fury.
But joining in this particular fray are two athletes in their late thirties ready for an NBA/NFL crossover. Former NBA All-Star and longtime Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams has officially joined the Jake Paul/Tommy Fury fight card, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. A possible contender for Williams is Frank Gore, the longtime NFL running back who is still listed as a free agent.
Former NBA All-Star Deron Williams set to fight NFL free agent Frank Gore on Jake Paul/Tommy Fury UFC undercard
Williams, who retired in 2017 as a Cleveland Cavalier, is now 37 years old. Gore is 38 years old, making him one of the oldest running backs to ever play in the NFL. Despite their divergent paths, both Williams and Gore began their professional sports careers the same year.
In 2005, Williams was drafted with the No. 3 overall pick by the Utah Jazz. In his first year, Williams made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2006. Enjoying a 12-year career in the league, Williams spent most of his career split between the Jazz and the Brooklyn Nets.
Gore was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft. By 2006, Gore made the NFL Pro Bowl and received Second-team All-Pro honors. Gore spent 10 years with the 49ers before joining four other NFL teams, the most recent being the New York Jets in 2020.
If Williams does fight Gore, he would have a six-inch height advantage. Still, the legendary NFL running back is still presumably in fighting shape, as he has yet to announce his official NFL retirement.
The Jake Paul/Tommy Fury fight was already a must-watch to see if Tyson’s brother will K.O. the popular YouTuber, and the Williams/Gore undercard make it an even more anticipated match.