Jake Paul's eyes remain firmly set on a matchup with two of the most popular fighters in MMA.
On June 1st, former UFC stars Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz will clash in a boxing match. It was a sort of rematch of the UFC 244 “BMF” title fight, which Masvidal won with a doctor stoppage.Masvidal recently appeared on MMA hour To promote Diaz's fight, he took a moment to cut a promo for Paul, explaining why the YouTuber-turned-boxer was inferior to him.
Paul had previously stated that he was interested in fighting both Masvidal and Diaz under MMA rules, but it's unclear why neither took him up on his offer.
“One thing I can say is that they are digging their own grave,” Paul said in his speech. B.S. Podcast. “When you say you want to fight them in MMA, you're very serious. Either Masvidal or Diaz in the PFL. A $10 million offer for either of them. Again, they're literally behind the facts. — Masvidal, “You can't even box.'' What the hell are you going to do when you come to MMA? I'm F****** from Miami, Florida. Asshole, asshole, don't disrespect me, asshole. Damn bird brain, that's what he's hiding.
“Same thing with fucking daddy.” [Pimblett] And Sean Strickland, all these guys are hiding behind all these crazy things, but still, whatever it takes to make something actually happen in a real match, a real spar. No one showed up to the table to even discuss business. Whatever it is. Therefore, the offer still stands. I would love to see either of these fighters compete in MMA. ”
Paul and Diaz faced off in a boxing match in August of this year, with Paul scoring a unanimous decision victory over the MMA fan favorite. Prior to the bout, Paul offered Diaz $10 million to fight in an MMA bout with PFL, but Diaz brushed off the offer. Paul also asked former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland to spar with him, but Strickland claims the UFC would not allow him to accept Paul's $1 million offer.
That's part of the story, Paul acknowledged, and he thinks it's because the UFC is afraid of what he might do to its fighters.
“That's why they don't want Masvidal to box me,” Paul said. “That's why Masvidal is allowed to box. The UFC gave Masvidal a list of 35 people who are allowed to box. He's technically still under contract with the UFC, so… We're releasing Nate's boxing contract, but there were 35 other names and I wasn't on it.”
“Problem Child's” next bout will be an unexpected boxing match against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson, which will be broadcast live on Netflix from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 20th. If the job is finalized, Paul is open to the possibility of making his MMA debut under the PFL banner.
“Of course we have Mike, but we just do it afterwards,” Paul said. “I would like to camp for half a year.” [to work on MMA]”
