MMA
Jake Paul targets 2027 for MMA debut
Published
3 months agoon
Jake Paul insists he still plans to compete in MMA and now aims to make his debut under that rule set in 2027.
Following the announcement of his Most Valuable Promotions organization merging with PFL to form a new MMA powerhouse, Paul spoke to ESPN about the news and his own combat sports crossover aspirations. Paul has already carved out a name for himself in the world of boxing, going from famous internet personality to jumping into the ring with the likes of Mike Tyson, Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and Anthony Joshua, the latter of whom handed Paul just his second defeat this past December.
According to Paul, it's only a matter of time until he makes the move from the ring to the cage.
“I've been trying to make it happen for a long time and it's really just come down to negotiations behind the scenes,†Paul said. “I'm going to go come back hopefully later this year into boxing and then looking to do MMA in 2027.â€
Paul's relationship with PFL actually began in 2023, when he signed a multi-year deal with the league. His role was unclear, though he used his platforms to promote the PFL while also stating his intention to compete in MMA. However, Paul's contract with PFL ended in 2026 with no fight ever having occurred.
Asked how boxing training compares to MMA training, Paul admitted he's yet to find out firsthand.
“I don't know, that's the funny part,†Paul said. “I've never even done a single day of MMA training. I have a wrestling background, I grew up Division-I Ohio wrestling in high school, but I've never actually said, ‘Hey, today we're training MMA.'
“So I'd imagine it's very similar to boxing. Intensive, taking a lot of punishment, the cardio, the non-stop two-a-days. The recovery is all probably pretty similar, but I'm going to have to split up the boxing, the kickboxing, the kicks, the jiu-jitsu, the wrestling, all into different training sessions and I've never done that before.â€
Until Paul actually straps on the MMA gloves himself, he's content to be one of the faces of the MVP-PFL merger. The inaugural MVP MMA event this past May, headlined by the returning Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, drew a massive number on Netflix, peaking at 17 million viewers for the main event.
Paul believes joining forces with the deep PFL roster sets MVP MMA up as legitimate competition for the UFC.
“I think it's a one-of-a-kind combat sports organization now with even more capital infused to continue to grow at the rate we have,†Paul said. “We've already set records with our fights, most-watched MMA event in U.S. history, most-watched boxing event, but now we have the PFL roster underneath us.
“Four hundred fighters when you combine both entities and just more infrastructure to grow everything and that's really why ‘1+1 = 3' here, why we decided to team up with PFL to really go and change the landscape and give fighters the opportunity to have the viewership and the big paydays and to go ahead and compete with the UFC head to head.â€
You may like
MMA
UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
Published
10 hours agoon
October 22, 2026
MMA
Arman Tsarukyan attacks Dillon Danis igniting near riot at RAF 14 press conference
Published
11 hours agoon
October 22, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan was clarly not amused by Dillon Danis' choice of apparel at the RAF 14 press conference on Thursday.
After exchanging plenty of trash talk in a calm manner, Danis stood to show off his t-shirt when asked what he was wearing. Danis, who is never short on controversy, revealed he was wearing a customized shirt featuring Tsarukyan's teammate and friend Khamzat Chimaev.
“It says Khamzat's my bitch,†Danis responded. “And it has a picture with him without a beard.â€
A second later, Tsarukyan stood from his seat and charged at Danis looking to either silence the always outspoken grappling veteran or perhaps to take the shirt off him.
Whatever the reason, Tsarukyan's mad dash at Danis ignited a huge brawl as dozens of people charged the stage either in support of the fighters or security trying to keep them separated.
The melee nearly tore down the stage as RAF officials attempted to gain control of the situation with Danis and Tsarukyan looking for punches rather than takedowns.
When RAF officials finally gained control of the situation, the stage was cleared for the customary faceoffs but needles to say Tsarukyan and Danis did not appear again.
Tsarukyan and Danis meet in the RAF 14 main event on Friday, which kicks off at 9 p.m. ET with full coverage on MMA Fighting.
At the UFC 333 press conference, the top four fighters in Saturday's event will answer questions from the media Thursday morning.
In the main event, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski faces Movsar Evloev. UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan squares off against Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event.
The UFC 333 press conference is expected to begin at 9 a.m. ET.
UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
WBO Denies Denzel Bentleys Appeal; Orders Showdown with Yoenli Hernandez or Vacate Title
WBO Denies Denzel Bentleys Appeal; Must Face Yoenli Hernandez or Vacate Title
Trending
-
MMA2 days agoMerab Dvalishvili calls himself a decision machine before Yan trilogy
-
Boxing2 days agoTyson Fury Responds to Ben Davisons Towel Decision in Dubois vs Wardley Rematch
-
Boxing2 days agoFloyd Mayweather Targets Another Former Opponent Post-Pacquiao Rematch
-
MMA2 days agoMorning Report: Eddie Hearn again denies Dana White’s involvement in Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
-
MMA2 days agoUFC 333 Best Bets: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev goes long
-
Boxing2 days agoDan Rafael Critiques Paramount for Silence on Garcia-Benn Fight Numbers
-
Boxing1 day agoFormer World Champion with 90% KO Ratio Hopes to Face David Benavidez in Upcoming Fight
-
Boxing1 day agoFloyd Mayweathers Comeback: Agrees to Fight World Champion for WBC Title at 49


