Jake Paul, known for his outspoken nature and numerous options in his fight career, has a specific matchup in mind following his upcoming bout against Nate Diaz on August 5.
For years, the 26-year-old influencer-turned-boxer has been eyeing a future showdown with UFC superstar Conor McGregor. Paul firmly believes that there would be no more opportune moment to arrange this highly-anticipated fight than after he secures victory against Diaz, who has engaged in two epic encounters with McGregor, resulting in a 1-1 record.
“There’s so many fighters, there’s so many people out there,” Paul said about what’s next when speaking to TalkSport. “We have offers out to Tommy [Fury], we’ve been trying to do the KSI negotiations for years so there’s just a lot down the horizon.
“But when I knock out Nate Diaz, I think that Conor McGregor’s going to see me, want a payday and come and get knocked out.”
Although Jake Paul has primarily focused on boxing during his fight career, claiming victories over former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, he appears genuinely interested in venturing into the world of MMA.
Paul recently signed a deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), which not only grants him equity in the organization but also hints at his intentions to eventually compete in mixed martial arts. However, no specific timeline has been established for this transition.
Paul has openly expressed his willingness to explore the option of an MMA fight, even against Conor McGregor, if it is preferable for the former two-division UFC champion.
“We can fight in the PFL smart cage, whatever it is,” Paul said. “I told everybody I would fight Conor in any form of fight. Because, in my opinion, he is that shot.
“I’ll do MMA. I’m not afraid. I’ve wanted to do that my whole career. [I have] a wrestling background. All I’d have to learn is some jiu-jitsu and some kicks, which seems pretty easy to me.”
When it comes to other potential opponents, Jake Paul has a strong desire to seek redemption against Tommy Fury, who handed him his first and only loss in a split decision back in February.
While the option to face Fury remains open, Paul promptly dismissed the idea of potentially fighting KSI, despite the growing rivalry between them. It is worth noting that KSI previously defeated Paul's older brother, Logan Paul, in a boxing match before the two became friends and business partners. Although KSI had been linked to a fight against Fury, negotiations have hit a roadblock in recent weeks.
Paul firmly believes that KSI wants no part in a boxing match against him, which is why he is not dedicating much attention to the possibility of that fight.
“With KSI, I don’t know,” Paul said. “The kid’s been saying for years and years, he has all these excuses. He’s going on tour, he’s focusing on himself, he’s posting back on YouTube again. He’s doing all this stuff when I’ve just consistently been fighting and fighting and fighting and ready to go at any given time.
“As far as I’m concerned, he doesn’t want the fight.”
“With KSI, I don’t know,” Paul said. “The kid’s been saying for years and years, he has all these excuses. He’s going on tour, he’s focusing on himself, he’s posting back on YouTube again. He’s doing all this stuff when I’ve just consistently been fighting and fighting and fighting and ready to go at any given time.
“As far as I’m concerned, he doesn’t want the fight.”