Jake Paul: ‘I Wanted The MMA Fight Against Nate Diaz’
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Jake Paul on MMA debut: “Nate Diaz is the perfect opponent, but he’s ducked and keeps offering excuses”
All signs point to Jake Paul making his MMA debut in 2024.
Courtesy Showtime
Paul, who signed with the PFL in January and will eventually compete in the newly created Super Fight Division, even had an opponent in mind: Nate Diaz.
After Paul defeated Diaz in a boxing match in August, the idea was to have a rematch in the PFL SmartCage. That hasn’t happened, however, as Diaz–who made his name in the UFC–has refused to come to terms.
“I wanted the MMA fight against Nate,” said Paul. “Nate Diaz is the perfect opponent, but he’s ducked and keeps offering excuses. He’s demanding more money when he hasn’t made the amount of money we’re offering for an MMA fight, ever.
“He keeps playing these games. I would love to test my skills against him. I have a wrestling background, I have the boxing. It would be interesting.”
Paul defeated Diaz in August
Courtesy DAZN
Though an MMA fight is inevitable, Paul’s focus is boxing. He cornered his brother Logan Paul last month in his bout against Dillon Danis, even becoming part of the action during the post-fight chaos in the ring.
“I felt a brawl was going to break out because of what Dillon was doing,” said Paul. “He was getting his ass beat, so I knew he was going to pull some stupid sh--.”
Paul now prepares to step back into the ring on December 15. After making his name against high-profile opponents, this will be a stark contrast as Paul accepted a bout against Andre August.
Paul (7-1) has enjoyed plenty of success as a boxer, but his list of opponents–Diaz, former NBA player Nate Robinson, ex-UFC champs Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, and an out-of-shape Ben Askren–are not known as traditional boxers. The one time he did fight someone with a boxing pedigree took place against Tommy Fury in February, when Paul lost by split decision.
Courtesy DAZN
Despite the lack of flash surrounding this bout, Paul meets a legitimate boxer in August (10-1-1). Only 26, Paul wants to take a step toward facing more respected opponents in the cruiserweight division, and he believes the first step will occur with a win against August.
“I’m on a path where I’m growing as a fighter,” said Paul. “I want to win a world championship at my weight class. That’s not a marketing tactic. It’s real. Andre August is the next step in my path.”
The fight is airing exclusively on DAZN, making it Paul’s first fight not to air on pay-per-view. August, 35, is an opponent without any noteworthy victories, and he is someone who Paul should defeat. But while August has enjoyed only a modicum of success in boxing, this marks a rare opportunity to seize the spotlight.
“We did the cool entertaining pay-per-views, and now we’re focusing more on me being a young boxing prospect,” said Paul. “Most prospects in their ninth fight haven’t had the same experience or eyeballs on them that I have, so I’m unique in that regard.
“And it’s a win-win situation for Andre August. That’s what makes him even more dangerous. This is his opportunity to change his career forever.”
Courtesy DAZN
Paul becoming a real contender is an uphill battle, and it will take time to discover whether he is for real. But an early first indicator will take place in the bout against Andre.
“I love the sport of boxing, which has done so much for me,” said Paul. “I can’t get enough of it. And I’m completely focused on December 15 against Andre August.”
Kayla Harrison makes PFL return
Kayla Harrison makes her return to the cage tonight.
Harrison (15-1) last fought almost exactly a year ago, suffering her first-ever MMA loss on November 25, 2022 in the PFL Women's Lightweight Tournament Final against Larissa Pacheco.
Courtesy PFL
Harrison’s fight was announced in September. She was scheduled to fight Julia Budd, but earlier this month, the PFL announced that Budd refused to fulfill her contractual obligation. So instead of that 145-pound fight, Harrison is now fighting a 150-pound catchweight bout against Aspen Ladd.
Harrison (15-1) only has two fights remaining on her PFL contract. If she wins her next two bouts, then testing herself in the UFC would make sense. The recent acquisition of Bellator also adds new intrigue in the PFL, which could lead to a more high-profile opponent like Cris Cyborg.
Ladd (11-4) won three of her six fights in the UFC before defeating Budd in her PFL debut. Since then, she has split her last two fights.
With Ladd in place as her opponent, the stage is set for Harrison. She returns at the PFL World Championship, where Pacheco is poised to win another championship. But there is no gold or $1 million prize at stake for Harrison, who is fighting to restore her place in MMA.
The Pick ‘Em Section
PFL 10 lightweight championship bout: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Clay Collard
Pick: Olivier Aubin-Mercier
PFL 10 heavyweight championship bout: Renan Ferreira vs. Denis Goltsov
Pick: Renan Ferreira
PFL 10 women’s featherweight championship bout: Larissa Pacheco vs. Marina Mokhnatkina
Pick: Larissa Pacheco
PFL 10 women’s (150-pound) catchweight bout: Kayla Harrison vs. Aspen Ladd
Pick: Kayla Harrison
PFL 10 catchweight (187-pound) bout: Ray Cooper III vs. Derek Brunson
Pick: Derek Brunson
Last week: 3-2
2023 record: 128-79
