Jake Paul confirms his intention to transition to mixed martial arts in the future.
Despite signing a multi-fight deal with PFL in January 2023, over two years later, `The Problem Child` remains fully focused on his professional boxing career, holding an 11-1 record.
With an upcoming bout against former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. scheduled for June 28, the 28-year-old figure, who gained fame as a YouTuber before turning fighter, promises to begin training for his eagerly anticipated MMA debut soon.
Potential MMA Opponents: Usyk and Diaz
During a recent press conference for the Chavez Jr. fight, where former UFC champion Holly Holm was also present after signing with Most Valuable Promotions, Paul reiterated his desire to compete in MMA.
“Yeah, I want to be like Holly here and test my skills in the cage,” he stated. “That’s something I’m super, super interested in, and I think it would be a very, very big spectacle.
“Nate Diaz is still ducking,” he added, “but we would need to find the right opponent. [Oleksandr] Usyk, maybe.”
Paul’s business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, elaborated on why an MMA fight against boxing`s top heavyweight is a genuine possibility.
“Usyk has called out Jake multiple times in MMA. They’ve been in touch with us behind the scenes saying they wanna do that fight in 2026. So it’s something that we definitely want to pursue.”
Paul confirmed the timeline: “I haven’t started any MMA training, so it would definitely be interesting. We are looking at 2026 for that as a possibility.”
Expert Opinion: Dan Hardy Weighs In
PFL analyst Dan Hardy shared his thoughts on the potential Oleksandr Usyk vs. Jake Paul MMA matchup in a recent interview.
“I know for a fact that Usyk is interested, like legitimately interested in fighting in MMA,” Hardy said. He described Usyk as eccentric and potentially possessing a grappling background, noting he “seems like an interesting person who would take to MMA very well.”
However, Hardy highlighted the challenges for Paul. “The downside to Jake Paul though is unless his wrestling is up to par, that’s a horrible fight for him in boxing or mixed martial arts. Usyk’s a smart guy with great footwork, he’s ambidextrous. I think he would be a problem in mixed martial arts.”
Hardy speculated on Paul`s potential MMA opponents, suggesting, “I think if we see Jake Paul, he’s gonna be fighting someone that’s well into their 40s if it’s an MMA fight.”
