January 29, 2020; Miami, FL, USA; Jake Paul steps on the scale to weigh in for his Matchroom Boxing USA bout at The Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami, FL. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
Jake Paul could still fight Nate Diaz in MMA, says PFL CEO
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul could still fight Nate Diaz in an MMA match, says PFL CEO Peter Murray.
Paul recently announced that he is boxing Diaz, the former UFC star, this summer in Dallas. Of course, Paul also signed with PFL recently and he is expected to make his MMA debut in early 2024. While he does have a boxing match with Diaz lined up, he is still fully expected to compete in MMA, and his first fight could come against Diaz.
Speaking to the media following the recent PFL 3 event, PFL’s CEO Murray said that there is a chance that Paul could first box Diaz and then have a rematch with him in MMA.
“You heard directly from Jake. Absolutely. We had that conversation as a potential two-fight deal and the focus on what made sense. Focus on boxing first, and we’ll see what happens after the fight. We’ll see if Nate gets in the cage to potentially finish that score. But what I can tell you is that when Jake makes his debut next year, it will be against a major, major talent. A major opponent,” Murray said (via MMAjunkie.com).
According to Murray, Paul has been shoring up his MMA skills ahead of his pro debut.
“He’s committed. Not only is he an exceptionally committed athlete as it relates to boxing, but he’s preparing, and he’s doing the work to further develop his game in MMA, and he will make his debut next year. So those plans are in the works and there’s on joint conversations as to who will be the opponent, what’s the right timing and I can tell you he’s excited about it and that will happen next year,” Murray said.
Do you want to see Jake Paul fight Nate Diaz in an MMA fight after they compete in boxing this summer?
