Jake Paul is turning to mixed martial arts and will do so with the Professional Fighters League.
Professional boxer turned entertainer and social media influencer announced Thursday that he has signed an MMA contract with the PFL. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but PFL president and co-founder Donn Davis told ESPN it’s a multi-year, multi-match deal.
Paul, 25, holds the professional boxing record 6-0 with four knockouts. His best fights were against MMA fighters, including former UFC champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva. Paul has hinted at turning to MMA in the past but is said to continue his professional boxing career.
“I have proven myself in and out of the boxing ring and now I will do the same in MMA,” Paul said in a statement. “There is no limit to the positive impact I can make on the sport. I plan to join PFL SmartCage and once again show the world that anything is possible with work. hard work and dedication.”
There is no timeframe for Paul’s MMA debut. Davis said it could take a whole year but it would be a serious risk whenever it happened.
“I think what makes Jake so interesting to the fans is that he works hard and doesn’t underestimate what needs to be done,” Davis told ESPN. “He knows he’s not ready yet [for his MMA debut] right now, but he’s starting to practice. I think it will be about a year from now ie early 2024, when you will see him going up against his first opponent. But the kind of competitor he’s thinking of will shock the world in terms of their status and brand.”
Paul’s deal is the first in the PFL’s newly developed “pay-per-view Super Fight Division,” separate from its regular season roster. The PFL hosted its first pay-per-view event on ESPN in November and plans to host two more PPV events in 2023. Those events are expected to air on ESPN in the United States. and DAZN International.
Fighters signed to Super Fight Division will appear in those events, with 50% of the revenue shared between the promotion and the athletes.
In addition to competing in the end, Paul accepted the role of head of boxer advocacy at the PFL, which would essentially help him promote the series’ athletes and aid in recruiting. Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian have become minority owners of the PFL brand, according to a press release.
“As the Head of Boxer Advocacy, I will continuously promote PFL fighters and I invite all the top MMA fighters, both men and women, to join the PFL and receive a payday. salary they never had before.” Paul said.
Paul started participating in contact sports in 2020 as a novelty but has gradually improved both his skill and level of competition. His four previous opponents – Silva, Woodley (twice) and Ben Askren – are all considered past their prime but also have more sporting experience. Paul’s most recent win was against Silva in October.
He has loudly advocated for boxer rights and pay, both in boxing and MMA. He also went head-to-head with UFC president Dana White over his record in the ring and boxer rights.
Paul, of Cleveland, boasts 21.5 million followers on Instagram and another 4.5 million on Twitter. After his win over Silva in the boxing ring, he called MMA superstar Nate Diaz to fight. Diaz, 37, is now a free agent in the combat sport after he ran out of contract with the UFC for the first time since 2007.
