Will PFL Contract Allow Jake Paul to Continue Boxing After He Makes His MMA Debut in 2024?

In a surprising twist of combat sports fate, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) seems to have laid out a unique path for Jake Paul, the controversial yet captivating figure who transitioned from YouTube fame to the boxing ring. Since his boxing debut in January 2020, Paul has managed to secure a noteworthy 7-1 professional record. Notably, his sole loss was a split decision setback against undefeated British boxer Tommy Fury.

However, Paul swiftly rebounded in his most recent boxing outing, triumphing over former UFC fighter Nate Diaz in a unanimous decision victory last August. As the 26-year-old gears up for his MMA debut in 2024, questions loom over whether the PFL’s contract will pave the way for him to continue his boxing ventures after stepping into the octagon.

Potential MMA rematch: Paul vs Diaz

The intriguing possibility of a rematch between Paul and Diaz, this time in the realm of mixed martial arts, has been the subject of much speculation. Despite mutual interest expressed by both fighters, a concrete announcement is yet to materialize. The consensus is that Paul’s MMA debut is imminent under the PFL banner, following his multi-year contract signing earlier this year.

Frewin expressed confidence in the YouTuber’s commitment to the sport, stating, “Jake is also, as you know, a PFL athlete. He’s an unbelievable ambassador for the sport. He’s an advocate for the professionalization of this sport and taking better care of the athletes.”

Jake Paul: PFL contract, pay structure, and fight division

The social media influencer-turned-boxer entered into a multiyear contractual agreement with the Professional Fighters League earlier this year. His future plans include venturing into mixed martial arts within a division referred to as Super Fight. Additionally, in collaboration with business partner Nakisa Bidarian, he holds an equity share in the organization too.

The significance of Paul’s involvement in a competing league with the UFC is noteworthy, particularly considering his previous criticisms of the UFC’s fighter compensation structure. The Super Fight division, in contrast to the UFC’s norm of less than 20 percent of total revenue for fighters, guarantees a minimum of 50 percent of the pay-per-view revenue to participating fighters.

In an interview with Daily Mail, James Frewin, the Senior Vice President of PFL, delved into various subjects, including the eagerly awaited MMA debut of Jake Paul. Emphasizing the installation of a PFL smart cage at Paul’s training facility, Frewin hinted at the likelihood of the YouTuber engaging in his inaugural MMA bout within the PFL soon.

PFL’s Strategic Move

The strategic move by PFL to set up a dedicated training space for Paul emphasizes the organization’s commitment to nurturing talent and embracing diverse fighting styles. Frewin hinted at an impending announcement, saying, “He’s obviously got boxing on his agenda coming up in a couple of weeks, and PFL will always be in his corner for that. And then there’ll be an announcement on the date very soon.”

As the countdown to Paul’s next boxing match against Andre August on December 15, 2023, ticks away, the anticipation surrounding his potential MMA debut in the PFL ‘Super Fight Division’ continues to grow.

Adding a layer of complexity to the narrative is the ongoing saga between Paul and MMA legend Nate Diaz. Despite Diaz’s dismissive stance on facing Paul in the PFL, the YouTuber-turned-boxer has been vocal about his eagerness for the MMA showdown in 2024. A recent tweet by Paul suggested that Diaz might be making excuses to avoid the PFL clash.

Diaz’s Incentive

Enter Donn Davis, the founder of PFL, who, in a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, made an enticing proposal to Diaz. Davis offered a whopping $15 million payday for Diaz to step into the PFL cage against Paul, emphasizing the organization’s readiness and infrastructure. In his words, “‘Here’s $15 million, here’s Jake, we have all the infrastructure at PFL, and we’re easy to work with.’ Dink. The light’s on.”

Diaz now faces a significant dilemma – turn down a lucrative offer and potentially miss out on a high-stakes bout or accept the challenge and dive into uncharted territory against a formidable opponent like Jake Paul. The ball is firmly in Diaz’s court, and fight fans eagerly await his decision.

Read More: All We Know So Far About the $15 Million MMA Fight Between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz

In the unfolding story of Jake Paul’s foray into MMA under the PFL banner, the narrative weaves together elements of strategic planning, financial incentives, and the clash of two worlds – boxing and MMA.

Are you looking forward to seeing Paul make his debut in the Octagon? Who do you think will win this time? Comment below!

Watch This Story: Jake Paul rejects boxing rematch but accepts To meet Nate Diaz in Octogan