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Jake Paul targets 2027 for MMA debut

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Jake Paul targets 2027 for MMA debut

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€

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UFC Belgrade video: Navajo Stirling tears through Jan Blachowicz in first round, calls out Khalil Rountree and Paulo Costa

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August 1, 2026

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UFC Belgrade video: Navajo Stirling tears through Jan Blachowicz in first round, calls out Khalil Rountree and Paulo Costa

A new contender has emerged at light heavyweight after Navajo Stirling took out former champion Jan Blachowicz in the first round at UFC Belgrade.

Despite taking the fight on short notice, Stirling looked more than ready, especially after the dropped Blachowicz with a perfectly timed right had that sent the Polish powerhouse to the canvas. From there, Stirling was relentless with his ground and pound as he blasted Blachowicz with elbows until referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight with the end coming at just 2:56 in the opening round.

“I think about fighting, it all starts up here [in the head], you can make it happen,†Stirling said after his win. “It's an absolutely honor to be able to share the ring with a former champion like Jan Blachowicz.

“Honestly, we're all fighting each other so there can all be one winner but I'm a big fan of Jan. Just sticking to the game plan, I've got the best coaches in the world.â€

The light heavyweights were jockeying for position early with Blachowicz landing the first big shot after a slick jab caught Stirling off guard and rattled him briefly. Stirling had blood trickling down his face afterwards as he reset on the feet.

A moment later, Stirling uncorked a huge right of his own that hammered Blachowcicz as he was wobbled and stumbled backwards towards the canvas.

As Blachowicz hit the ground, Stirling jumped on top of him and immediately started blasting away with elbows including one that sliced open the former light heavyweight champion. The assault continued with Stirling just dropping bombs until the referee saw enough and rescued Blachowicz from further harm.

Afterwards, Stirling looked up the rankings and called for a fight against one of the top contenders in the division for his next outing.

“If [Khalil] Roundtree or [Paulo] Costa want to fight … I'll whoop that ass.â€

In a division that needs some excitement, Stirling is providing that, especially with his past two wins. As for Blachowicz, the former champion falls to 0-3-2 in his past five fights and at 43 years old, the clock might be ticking on his time left in the sport.

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UFC Belgrade Results: Navajo Stirling stops Jan Blachowicz in Round 1 (Video)

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6 hours ago

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August 1, 2026

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UFC Belgrade Results: Navajo Stirling stops Jan Blachowicz in Round 1 (Video)
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We have you covered for all of today's UFC Belgrade results, including the co-main event between Jan Blachowicz and Navajo Stirling.

Blachowicz (29-11-2 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since his majority draw with Bogdan Guskov at UFC 323 this past December. The former title holder has gone 0-2-2 over his past four fights, suffering losses to Carlos Ulberg and Alex Pereira during that stretch.

Meanwhile, Navajo Stirling (10-0 MMA) will be looking to keep his perfect record intact this afternoon in Serbia. The 28-year-old was most previously seen in action 6 weeks ago, where he scored a second-round TKO victory over Ion Cutelaba (see that here). Prior to that triumph, Stirling was coming off a TKO win against Bruno Lopes this past March.

Round one of the UFC Belgrade co-main event begins and Jan Blachowicz looks to establish his jab. Navajo Stirling with a nice low kick. He lands another. Blachowicz with a jab to the body. A clinch and the former champion throws the youngster to the floor. After a brief moment on the canvas and we are back to standing. Stirling looks for a takedown. Blachowicz defends and lands a big left hook on the break. That appeared to stun the undefeated prospect. Navajo shoots again but is unsuccessful. A big combination from Navajo Stirling and Jan Blachowicz is hurt. The 28-year-old pounces on him with punches and elbows and the former champ is cut and bleeding. Jan Blachowicz goes down. Big ground and pound from Stirling and this one is all over! WOW!

Official UFC Belgrade Results: Navajo Stirling def. Jan Blachowicz via TKO (punches and elbows) at 2:56 of Round 1

Who would you like to see Stirling fight next following his first-round stoppage victory over Blachowicz this afternoon in Serbia? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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UFC Belgrade live blog: Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez

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6 hours ago

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August 1, 2026

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UFC Belgrade live blog: Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez

This is the live blog for Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez, the welterweight main event for Saturday's UFC Belgrade card at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.

Medic—currently No. 15 at 170 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings—is on a hot streak, with three first-round knockouts in his past three fights. The Serbian star has one mission and one mission only, to go for the finish or leave on his shield. In 16 pro bouts, Medic (13-3) has never gone to the scorecards. Following his recent win over Geoff Neal, Medic called for the UFC to bring an event to his country and now that his wish has been granted, the pressure is on him to deliver.

On the other side, Rodriguez (20-5) looks to get back on track after his career was recently derailed by an eight-month stint in a Mexican prison. Rodriguez is also on a three-fight win streak, having knocked off veterans Kevin Holland, Santiago Ponzinibbio, and Alex Morono, and now has to play the spoiler in front of a hostile crowd.

Check out the Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez live blog below.

Well that helped move things along!

UFC Belgrade has mostly been a fun show, but the heavyweight bought really brought the energy down. Fortunately, Navajo Stirling picked things back up, and there's almost no way this fight isn't fun.

Jason Herzog is the ref. There are 3 judges but I will be SHOCKED if they're needed.

Bruce Buffer gets things going and he's milking it a bit. But that's his thing, and the crowd is here for it.

We took our time with these walkouts. Rodriguez had a long walk to the arena, where he was loudly booed. Of course. And Medic's walkout was also long but fun as this arena seems very lively. Huge moment for him.

Medic is 6 years younger, but gives up 3 inches of reach. He is the favorite at -400 though, with Rodriguez at +310.

Buffer gets things going and this crowd is lively. Let's have fun!

Medic leads with a leg kick. Rodriguez does the same and it catches Medic in between, dropping him.

OHHHHHHHH! Rodriguez bounces forward and Medic explodes with a huge hook! Sends Rodriguez crashing to the canvas! Jumps on top and brings the thunder and this is over in seconds!!!!!!!!!!

Oh man, we've got soccer hooligan energy in this crowd with a man blazing some flares in the stands! Biggest moment of Medic's life and he delivered in the biggest way.

And the crowd is chanting his name. This is awesome.

Uros Medic def. Daniel Rodriguez via TKO (punches) — 0:30, Round 1.

Medic is on the verge of big emotions in his post-fight interview. The crowd is still chanting his name and he's clearly moved by it. He speaks to them before translating himself, saying it's been a really rough couple of weeks and that he didn't feel like he was home, even though he was on home soil. It's been nearly a decade since he's been in Serbia.

Then he gives a speech about leaving home when he was 22 and how he got here.

“I have so many words, I don't think we have enough time tonight. With that being said, I'm going to cook the rest of this division. With you guys by my side, we're going to bring the belt to Serbia.â€

Medic then says he's like to fight Carlos Prates, but knows he way ahead of him. Then calls out Leon Edwards, before sending us home.

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