Jake Paul Reportedly Accepts PFL Offer For Nate Diaz Rematch
An offer for Jake Paul and Nate Diaz to meet in the PFL is apparently on the table, but it seems that the two fighters have differing opinions on the details of a potential rematch.
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A former UFC lightweight title challenger, Diaz fought out his contract with the promotion when he submitted Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 279 last year. It didn't take long for the 38-year-old to book his debut boxing match opposite Paul, who has largely built his name in the sport off of beating former MMA fighters.
The pair met in Dallas, Texas in August and put on an entertaining bout that Paul comfortably won via unanimous decision. Talk of a rematch quickly began following that result, and according to Michael Benson the PFL has extended an offer to both men for a matchup in the SmartCage.
There's very little surprise seeing that Paul has apparently accepted the offer for an MMA rematch with Diaz, as the 26-year-old had suggested that as a possibility even before the pair stepped into the boxing ring.
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“Problem Child” didn’t appear to get much feedback from Diaz on the idea of a rematch in the PFL when he mentioned it during the lead up to their first meeting. Diaz hasn’t closed the door on potentially returning to MMA at some point, but it doesn’t seem as if he’s interested in fighting for a promotion that isn’t the UFC.
Diaz came up short in his boxing debut against Paul.
(Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)
A boxing rematch would still probably attract quite a few eyes, but if both men agreed to meet in MMA the buildup to that fight could be massive.
The news that Paul had signed with the PFL earlier this year for a planned 2024 debut was a major development for a promotion that has brought in a number of high-profile free agents recently, and no doubt that PFL would love to include Diaz in whatever big plans are currently in the works for next year.
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