When YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul does finally enter the cage for his first taste of mixed martial arts action, it'll be against a "very, very credible" opponent.
That's according to Professional Fighters League CEO Peter Murray, who recently addressed Paul's long-discussed planned venture to the multifaceted sport, which was promised when the ex-Disney star signed with the PFL 20 months ago.
Thus far into his combat sports tenure, "The Problem Child" has made a splash in the ring, largely by getting the better of veteran MMA fighters like Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and Tyron Woodley.
2024 has seen his focus remain on boxing, and after defeating BKFC star Mike Perry this past June, Paul is set to close out his year by headlining the first live combat sports event to be broadcast on Netflix opposite legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson.
With that, a crossover to MMA has slipped from the surface. But the PFL evidently remains confident of that coming to fruition. If and when it does, the promotion doesn't plan on having Paul face a low-level foe...
During an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Murray briefly spoke about the status of Paul's MMA plans, insisting that the Cleveland native remains committed to testing his skills inside the SmartCage.
When he does, many appear to be expecting "The Problem Child" to throw down with a fighter of similar inexperience when it comes to MMA. But Murray dismissed that notion, instead stating that Paul will face "credible" competition from the jump.
(There's) plenty of options...and Jake is committed to fighting a very, very credible, well-rounded MMA fighter, and (it's) not easy to do," Murray said. "Not easy to cross over from boxing into MMA. You know, the crossover from MMA or other disciplines into boxing is a lot easier.
Paul has posted comments and footage related to MMA training on social media for a number of years. But although a signing with the PFL in January 2023 appeared set to pave the way for a debut in the sport that year, "The Problem Child's" combat sports action remains isolated to the ring as it stands.
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