A social media star, Jake Paul always is always looking for the next big trend to tackle. Even in boxing, win or lose, he’s always looking for opportunities.
What will his plan be after facing Nate Diaz on August 5?
Paul, a YouTuber with a 6-1 boxing record, faces MMA fighter Nate Diaz in a professional boxing match. The fight takes place fight at the American Airlines Center airing on DAZN PPV and ESPN+ PPV.
Per Caesars, Jake Paul is the -380 favorite, while Nate Diaz is the +300 underdog. However, that doesn’t mean Diaz will be an easy fight for Paul, who is looking to rebound after losing his first fight in February to Tommy Fury.
Diaz, who left the UFC in September, is motivated and ready to prove his value outside MMA.
WATCH: Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, live on DAZN
Depending on how the fight goes, what’s next for Paul? “The Problem Child” has plenty of options, as he could stay in boxing or focus on his career in the Professional Fighters League.
The Sporting News looks into options for Paul following the Diaz fight.
What’s next for Jake Paul following Nate Diaz fight?
Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury 2
In February, Fury, the half-brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson, beat Paul via split decision (74-75, 76-73, 76-73). Paul knocked Fury down in the final round but it was too little too late. Following the fight, Paul insisted that he would like to face Fury in a rematch.
MORE: Sign up to watch Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz on ESPN+
In early July, Paul called out Fury following rumors of the latter fighting rival KSI. He stated that a rematch will happen in February 2024, one year after their initial fight.
“This clown … tried to fight D—- Dan [Dillon Danis], who has never boxed, and put a rehydration clause on him,” Jake said via TMZ Sports. “Fought a 40-year-old who hadn’t fought for 3 years and put a rehydration clause on him before elbowing him. Now, trying to squeeze Tommy. I elevated Tommy, my son is now worth a lot more than the $1.5M offers you making.”
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“Tommy, February, we run it back.”
A rematch will depend on the outcome of Fury’s fight with KSI, which is scheduled for October 14.
Jake Paul vs. KSI
KSI announced the next MF & DAZN: X Series card would feature him versus Fury.
“I’m doing what Jake Paul couldn’t and beating Tommy Fury on the biggest night in crossover boxing history,” KSI tweeted.
MORE: How a Jake Paul vs. KSI fight would be the best and worst thing to happen to boxing
KSI began his amateur boxing career in 2018 by beating fellow YouTuber Joe Weller via TKO. Following that bout, he called out Jake and his brother Logan and ended up taking on the latter in a bout that he won by split decision.
In August 2022, KSI challenged Jake Paul to a fight at Wembley Stadium in London. They agreed following a bet, with a match agreed for the end of 2023. Plans changed when Paul lost to Fury.
Paul will keep an eye on the KSI vs. Fury fight and could conceivably end up facing the winner and/ or the loser.
Nate Diaz in an MMA fight
Per Sports Payouts, Paul could earn up to $2 million for their fight, while Diaz could earn a guaranteed purse of $500,000. Even before they meet, there have been talks of a rematch.
Paul believes Diaz can earn more if they face off inside an MMA cage. And he also happens to have the perfect setting for it.
The social media personality owns an equity share and acts as “Head of Fighter Advocacy” for the PFL. Part of his contract includes fighting inside the PFL cage, within its “Super Fight” PPV division. Paul recently offered Diaz $10 million to compete inside the PFL SmartCage.
For all the clowns saying “why don’t you fight Nate Diaz in the cage.” I made that offer to him from the start. $10M to fight me in PFL after we box on August 5th. Offer is still there Nathan. #PaulDiaz
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) July 17, 2023
While Diaz did say it would take more than $10 million for the idea to become a reality, he has shown interest in competing in MMA again.
As of now, no deal for an MMA fight has been made between the two.
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