Jake Paul really wants to try his hand at MMA and wants to do so against a former opponent.
Since the start of his boxing career in 2020, Paul has regularly teased a move into MMA, at one point even working with the PFL to promote some fights. Six years in, though, and Paul still hasn’t made the move to the cage, though he is taking another step toward that next month when he moves into the MMA promotion space for real with the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card on Netflix.
On that card, Paul’s former opponent in boxing, Nate Diaz, fights Mike Perry, and while talking about Diaz, Paul announced that an MMA fight with Diaz is something he wants to happen.
“This guy was easy work,” Paul said on This Past Weekend w/ Theo Vonn. “Lightest puncher I’ve ever fought. … Nate Diaz is the lightest and worst puncher I’ve ever fought. He’s the toughest, and he took the most damage, but in a sport, that’s not something to brag about. …
“I want Nate in MMA,” Paul added. “It’s high on my list of priorities to do that.”
Paul has talked about fighting Diaz in MMA for years, even teasing it as part of their boxing in 2023, which Paul won by unanimous decision. Nothing ever came of it, though, but this time, Paul believes they might be able to do business together, after Diaz fights Perry.
“It’s just the business side,” Paul said when talking about impediments to the fight. “He probably wants a certain amount of money to take the risk in losing to me. And I just don’t give a f*ck. I have enough money. I’ve got all my shit. So, that’s why these guys are actual ducks. Because you can’t hide behind money anymore.
“I think it’s going to happen, though. If he beats Perry, then me vs. Nate is probably the No. 1 thing on the list. Above Tommy Fury, above Francis Ngannou, above KSI.”
And for whatever it’s worth, Paul thinks Diaz is going to beat Perry, potentially setting up their fight.
“I think he will [beat Perry],” Paul said. “I think he’ll take him down and submit him.”
MVP MMA 1 takes place on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
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