MMA
Jake Paul finally in MMA! Will he land a mega fight with the legendary UFC veteran?
Jake Paul finally shows up in a fight under MMA rules. What organization has he chosen and who is he challenging for his first fight?
Jake Paul finally shows up in a fight under MMA rules. What organization has he chosen and who is he challenging for his first fight?
Despite all his success in boxing, Jake Paul has been the target of criticism
Especially overseas, Jake Paul is considered a big social media star with an incredible fan base behind him. In recent years, the popular YouTuber has made a living boxing with former UFC stars.
Although he usually had a weight and height advantage in his fights, his opponents included former champions of the world’s biggest MMA organizations such as Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and most recently the legendary Anderson Silva.
Even so, Paul has been the target of criticism for beating up extinct stars. Moreover, he reportedly picks easy opponents who have specialized in ground skills and have dedicated most of their lives to mixed martial arts, a discipline distinct from traditional boxing.
The star youtuber has signed with an overseas PFL
And so the young provocateur has decided to take his fate into his own hands and it looks like we’ll finally see him in the cage. Last year, he was already toying with the idea of switching from boxing to MMA, but only now everything is taking a real shape. What organization has he chosen?
The overseas organization Professional Fighters League (PFL), in which this season’s Pyramid fought for a reward of one million dollars also Czech representatives Martina Jindrova and Viktor Pesta, announced on its social media a spectacular news.
Jake Paul has signed a multi-fight deal with the organization and will compete in a new division called “Super Fight,” in which he is expected to become the main face of the division alongside the organization’s star Kayla Harrison.
“It’s about changing MMA, disrupting, innovating and creating the next big league,” Paul said in an interview with the N.Y. Times. “I’ve already disrupted boxing and now it’s time to disrupt MMA. I know it’s a tough sport and it’s not going to be easy, but I’ve done it in boxing and I can do it in MMA,” he said confidently.
Who has he challenged for his first mega fight?
The star youtuber would also hold a stake in the organization and was given the job of “director of fighter advocacy”. Paul has been fighting for the rights of UFC fighters for years and advocating for an increase in their pay and proper healthcare.
It’s definitely a smart move by the PFL and will bring a lot of attention and new fans to the American organization. Paul has even managed to challenge an interesting opponent already, which would be guaranteed to provide extraordinary PPV sales.
“I offered Nate Diaz a two-fight contract. The first one in boxing and after six months an MMA fight,” he revealed the name of the potential opponent. “If even this challenge doesn’t mean I really have the balls, I don’t know anymore,” the legendary UFC veteran concluded.
Source: N.Y.Times, PFL Instagram, Twitter
