Editor’s Note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.
DALLAS – Jake Paul And Nate Diaz spent the better part of two years gossiping about each other in interviews and through social media, with everyone wondering if they would ever fix a match, which has one step closer to happening on Tuesday when both men were together for the first time.
Paul and Diaz attend a press conference at the American Airlines Arena, where they will fight in the boxing ring. On August 5, the professional boxer turned YouTuber and former UFC star will fight in an eight-round, 185-pound, pay-per-view fight co-sponsored by DAZN and Diaz’s Real Fight Inc. fox.
The fight comes a long way after Diaz, 38, was finally allowed to leave the UFC late last year right after a bout win over Tony Ferguson in his last octagonal appearance.
“Nate Diaz was always the plan after (fighting) Tommy (Fury),” Paul said. “That’s what I said even when building with Tommy. That was always the plan. This is a big war. This is a fight I’ve wanted for a long time. He’s out of contract with the UFC and this is probably the biggest fight of the year.”
Paul continued: “I want to organize big events, have big fights happen and attack while the iron is hot. He is a freelance agent. Run it, make it happen, settle the damn talk, and I’m ready for war.
Not surprisingly, so is Diaz, who is aware of the chatter from opponents – such as the UFC Hall of Fame Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping – doubts his ability to keep up with the boxing ring with Paul, 26, younger, stronger.
Diaz, who calls himself “the best fighter to ever fight in the UFC,” has something for those guys.
“I’ve been going to the boxing gym since I was 15, fighting professional boxers,” says Diaz. “I don’t think I’ve ever been hit in the ass in a boxing match and not come back and win the last round. I’ve always wanted to box. I felt like a professional boxer the whole time. … I’m happy to come here and show off my boxing skills.”
Especially against Paul, it seems.
“He’s young, he’s motivated, he’s working hard, I can see that, I’m sure everyone can see that. “Those are the kinds of people I want to fight,” Diaz said. … I think he did a great job, and I’m here to let those bastards know that I’m here to do a great job too.”
Paul had a lot of success early in his boxing career but not against real boxers. He has wins over former MMA champions Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva, along with wins over social media influencer AnEsonGib and former NBA player Nate Robinson. Paul’s only fight with a traditional fighter, his most recent one against Tommy Fury this past February, ended with Paul losing decisively.
For that reason, Paul is putting a lot of pressure on himself to get the job done compared to Diaz.
“I had a lot to prove, two chips in each shoulder, and it was a life-or-death decision for me,” Paul said. “I have to leave it all on the line. I think the same goes for Nate Diaz. He left the UFC with a win. He wants to be in this game, make a lot of money, take down a kid YouTuber, then come back and end his legacy. And that’s why this is such a great fight.
“But I just lost, and if he beats me, where am I? So it’s two people who can’t lose, don’t want to lose, never back down, never stop fighting. That’s why this is war, and I’m ready for war.”
