Recording music, standing before a camera, and fighting inside a square circle—Jake Paul has done it all. He amassed fame in every career he picked, and now he continues to venture deep into combat sports. After picking boxing gloves, the American wants to excel inside a steel cage. As his MMA debut draws near, the combat sports world is getting flooded by influencers crossing over. The traditional combat sports landscape will change forever the day the social media star walks to the PFL’s SmartCage in 2024.

‘The Problem Child’ has played a critical role in pioneering influencer boxing and is currently obsessed with molding himself into a combat athlete. He banked on his long social media following, put on PPV boxing events, and has been trying to master MMA after inking a deal with PFL earlier this year. Undoubtedly, Paul ensured influencers picked up boxing as a rage, and with a move to MMA next, he might pull off another cascading effect.

Jake Paul: a social media star turned prizefighter

When Jake Paul turned pro in January 2020, no boxing pundit knew how he was about to alter the boxing world. Soon after, Misfits boxing began in 2021. Influencers headlining the boxing PPV events became the norm, and traditional boxers started chasing fights with influencers.

The entertainment flair and a flavor of extravagance topped off the boxing world. The influencers emerged as combat stars, and the fans were willing to shell out money to see them box. It is no surprise that Paul eventually fought the likes of Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz.

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The 26-year-old even clashed with Tommy Fury, who even went on to exchange punches with KSI this October. The thin margin between traditional and influencer boxing continues to disappear with each event, and we can expect a similar trend in other combat, too, namely wrestling, MMA, and bare-knuckle boxing.

Like boxing, the American internet sensation might be at the forefront of exposing the MMA world to other fellow influencers. Setting up influencers on MMA cards might be the next big thing for MMA promotions, as it will sell PPVs and attract eyeballs. It’s a blueprint that boxing has tested successfully, and wrestling is experiencing it currently.

Combat sports success runs in the Paul family

Logan Paul is the epitome of a modern influencer, juggling his job as a combat sports athlete. The YouTuber-turned-boxer fought and defeated Dillon Danis on October 14 in the boxing ring. He then used the platform to call out WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio for the United States Championship and set up the storyline.

Almost two weeks later, Logan Paul snatched the title from Mysterio at Crown Jewel and completed his journey to become a pro wrestling champ. The 28-year-old and his younger brother have laid a path for other influencers to walk on. WWE has never shied away from experimenting, inviting celebrities, and using them as a face to sell tickets.

Read More: Devin Haney Puts Jake Paul Above Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, Shakur Stevenson, and Others Including Himself but Had One Condition to Do So

MMA might do the same next, courtesy of Jake Paul’s lucrative deal with PFL and his supposed $15 million fight offer for Nate Diaz. However, if there is any criticism thrown at influencers, it’s that they prefer fighting with their kin. While Jake Paul is already fighting Andre August next, another influencer has already smashed this myth.

BKFC hints at a bright future for the influencers

When Jake Paul announced his move to the PFL, it might have inspired another countryman to give combat sports another shot. Social media sensation Bryce Hall soon made his debut at BKFC 48 against Gee Perez, a more experienced opponent with a 3-0 record.

The American TikTok star shocked the world and secured a KO win against Perez. BKFC champion Lorenzo Hunt played a pivotal role in Hall’s sensational win and clarified Hall’s intention of pursuing a combat sports career: “This isn’t a influencer gag. He wants to do this.”

Therefore, the writing is on the wall for the purists. Jake Paul is at the fulcrum of it. He will inspire influencers to take up combat sports, and they are ready to take over combat sports.

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