Jake Paul greets Vivek Ramaswamy ahead of fight vs Andre August after inviting the Republican presidential candidate and his good friend to sit ringside in Orlando

  • Paul will face professional boxer August in Orlando on Friday evening
  • Ramaswamy greeted the YouTuber-turned-fighter upon arriving at the arena
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

Jake Paul was greeted by close friend and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Friday evening as he arrived for his fight with Andre August.

Paul will return to the ring against August, a professional boxer with a record of 10 wins from 12 fights, in Orlando, four months after beating UFC star Nate Diaz.

Ahead of his latest performance, the YouTuber turned fighter invited Ramaswamy to watch him take on August from ringside.

Earlier in the day, Ramaswamy's spokesperson Tricia McLaughin told TMZ that the presidential candidate is heading to Orlando to support Paul as the two have become “good friends.”

After the fight, he plans to quickly catch up with The Problem Child before heading straight to Iowa for six scheduled campaign events on Saturday, McLaughin said.

Jake Paul was greeted by close friend and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as he arrived for his fight with Andre August

Jake Paul greets Vivek Ramasway

Jake Paul greets Vivek Ramasway

Paul recently invited Ramaswamy to watch him play August from ringside

Ramaswamy's spokesperson told TMZ he planned to support his

Ramaswamy's spokesperson told TMZ he planned to support his “good friend” in Orlando

Their friendship first became public when Paul posted a dance video with Ramaswamy on TikTok in September.

The video has been repeatedly brought up in Ramaswamy during the Republican debates due to TikTok's ties to the Chinese government.

In response, Ramaswamy argues that TikTok and “reaching the next generation of young Americans where they are” will be a key part of winning the election.

In another clip, Ramaswamy sarcastically addressed criticism of his use of social media while taking a swipe at other candidates.

“The reason professional politicians don't want to talk to young people on social media is because they fear unscripted conversations,” says Ramaswamy.

'Luckily I'm not a professional politician.'

On the other hand, Paul has 25.5 million followers on Instagram and 17.3 million on TikTok. His social media following gave Paul a platform to pursue a career in boxing, both in the ring and as a promoter.

Paul faces 10-1-1 in a cruiserweight bout Friday at the Caribe Royale Orlando

Paul is 10-1-1 in a cruiserweight bout at the Caribe Royale Orlando on Friday

He also signed an MMA contract with the Professional Fighters League in January, but has yet to make his first appearance.

Paul became the face of influencer boxing by beating fellow online stars and retired athletes. He currently has a 7-1 record and is coming off a win over former UFC star Nate Diaz in August.

The 'Problem Child' will be confronted in a cruiserweight bout at the Caribe Royale Orlando on August 10-1-1.