Jake Paul is still seeking a second clash with Nate Diaz.
2023 started less than ideal for Paul in the ring as he suffered his first career boxing loss (8-1) by split decision opposite Tommy Fury (watch highlights). Ultimately, “The Problem Child” turned things around and ended the year on a high note with two big rebound wins. Thus setting him up for an intriguing 2024.
Paul, 26, got back in the win column with a solid unanimous decision performance against longtime mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran, Nate Diaz, in August 2023 (watch highlights). He most recently scored a highlight-reel first round uppercut knockout (watch highlights) against Andre August last month (Dec. 15, 2023), and still hopes to put together a rematch with Diaz in MMA, where he plans to debut this year in Professional Fighters League (PFL)
“We aim to put on the biggest PPVs in MMA,” Paul said of PFL on his YouTube channel. “One of which being my first fight in MMA. Where you at, Nate? Come on over to the PFL and let’s do a massive fight.
“We at the PFL just bought Bellator, another massive MMA organization, signed Francis Ngannou, and are making big deals happen,” he concluded. “Nate, at the PFL, unlike the UFC, fighters can have their own sponsorships.”
Diaz, 38, hasn’t competed since his encounter with Paul, which was his debut as a professional boxer. Before that, Diaz fought out his UFC contract when he scored a fourth round guillotine choke against Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022 (watch highlights). The win was Diaz’s first since his unanimous decision over former UFC Lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis, in August 2019.
The fan-favorite Stockton, California native has been sour to the idea of fighting in PFL whenever presented to him. With the promotion set up to have its biggest year yet in 2024, perhaps it will be enough to pull Diaz over.
As for Paul’s immediate return to action, he’s expected to box against an opponent to be determined in Puerto Rico on March 2, 2024.