Tag: Jake Paul

Dan Hardy Backs Cédric Doumbé As Jake Paul’s First MMA Opponent: ‘That Could Be A Good One’

It would appear that Dan Hardy is onboard with the idea of PFL star Cédric Doumbé welcoming YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul to the cage. Paul has risen to prominence in combat sports courtesy of his efforts in the ring. The Cleveland native has built a professional record of 11-1 that’s largely comprised of wins over aging […]

It would appear that Dan Hardy is onboard with the idea of PFL star Cédric Doumbé welcoming YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul to the cage.

Paul has risen to prominence in combat sports courtesy of his efforts in the ring. The Cleveland native has built a professional record of 11-1 that’s largely comprised of wins over aging MMA veterans. Most recently, he got the better of 58-year-old boxing great Mike Tyson for Netflix’s controversial first entry into the fight game.

Following that, “The Problem Child” has continued to boast big aspirations, once again vowing to become a world champion and calling out the likes of Canelo Álvarez. And with that, past talk of an MMA transition has quietened.

Paul previously looked close to a first cage appearance after signing with the Professional Fighters League at the start of 2023. During a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Hardy — a former UFC title challenger and the head of fighter operations for PFL Europe — pondered the polarizing ex-Disney star’s potential MMA arrival.

“I was excited about the idea that Jake Paul would have a go at mixed martial arts. And I thought to myself he’s going to come to MMA with the same energy, we know he’s got a wrestling background as well,” Hardy said. “He’s in a weird situation, isn’t he? Because who do you match (him) up against?”

Talk of Paul’s debut in the sport most recently returned to the surface when former Glory Kickboxing champ Cédric Doumbé included him on the list of possible 2025 opponents while addressing the crowd in Lyon at the PFL Europe championship event this month.

In the eyes of Hardy, the Frenchman is a realistic opponent option for Paul.

“Cédric Doumbé had mentioned a few different people he would fight, and Jake Paul was on the list. Doumbé’s got a great kickboxing background, but he only has a few fights in MMA. And he’s a striker, so he’s not going to want to grapple with Jake Paul,” Hardy continued. “Doumbé’s a bit older, but he’s definitely smaller. That could be a good one, even in boxing, I think Cédric Doumbé vs. Jake Paul would be a lot of fun.”

There remains no timeline on an MMA venture for Paul, whose most recent tease regarding a combat sports assignment explicitly mentioned the boxing realm once again.

Doumbé, meanwhile, is seemingly eying up a rematch with Baissangour “Baki” Chamsoudinov after the controversial end to their headline clash in Paris earlier this year.

Jake Paul Reacts To Conor McGregor Revealing Talks For Logan Paul Boxing Match: ‘Now It All Makes Sense…’

Should it come to fruition, Jake Paul has no doubt that his brother would get the better of former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor inside the boxing ring. At the end of a year in which he was found liable of assault on a woman who accused him of rape, McGregor’s combat sports future remains […]

Should it come to fruition, Jake Paul has no doubt that his brother would get the better of former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor inside the boxing ring.

At the end of a year in which he was found liable of assault on a woman who accused him of rape, McGregor’s combat sports future remains uncertain.

The Irishman hasn’t competed in any form since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. Post-recovery, he initially had a return announced opposite Michael Chandler toward the start of 2023. But their run as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, as well as multiple rumored and official fight dates, passed by without their matchup reaching the cage.

While that’s left many doubting McGregor’s comeback plans, the Dublin native has reiterated his intention of sharing the Octagon with Chandler ahead of 2025. A recent social media post, however, would suggest that’s not his immediate priority.

On X this week, “The Notorious” claimed he’s agreed to an exhibition boxing match against Logan Paul, put together by the billionaire Ambani family for an event in India.

Reacting to that revelation, Logan’s younger brother, fellow YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, alleged that McGregor’s team have also been attempting to negotiate a clash in the ring with him.

“Now it all makes sense why Conor Mcgregor & his management team have been desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate for a fight between us,” Paul wrote on X.

Paul continued, outlining what would need to happen for him to accept a showdown with the “washed” UFC star.

“As we told them them privately & I’m now saying it publicly…the only way we’re willing to explore me vs Conor in a pro boxing / mma fight is if Dana White / UFC are at the table directly or make it clear they are ok with discussions.

“Conor is washed. Needs the Paul’s. Logan by however he wants.”

It remains to be seen how much truth there is to McGregor’s post. Logan, who has recently thrived as a professional wrestler with WWE, is yet to comment on the claim.

Undefeated Bellator Champion Calls Jake Paul Out For MMA Fight With ‘Modified Rules’

It isn’t yet known who Jake Paul will face in his combat sports return following his huge contest with Mike Tyson last month. Given that he’s coming off of a record breaking event, it appears that all bets are off for “The Problem Child” in terms of the opponents that he is capable of drawing […]

It isn’t yet known who Jake Paul will face in his combat sports return following his huge contest with Mike Tyson last month. Given that he’s coming off of a record breaking event, it appears that all bets are off for “The Problem Child” in terms of the opponents that he is capable of drawing in.

Though he has signed to the PFL, there hasn’t been any news in some time regarding Paul’s MMA debut but there has been one name that has been mentioned time and time again. In August last year, he defeated Nate Diaz in a boxing match and has since been trying to get the former UFC fighter to face him in a rematch that would take place in MMA.

Diaz hasn’t showed any interest in doing that because he would prefer to do it in boxing and he doesn’t want to fight in the PFL after being a big part of the UFC for so long. Paul once again called Diaz out at a recent press conference.

“It’s funny that Nate Diaz is actually scared to fight me in MMA, actually. The biggest payday of his life would be me and him in MMA. Yeah, so I’m ready.”

Underneath the clip posted by MMA Fighting on Instagram, one of the top names on the PFL roster called for a modified rules fight with Paul seeing that he can’t get Diaz to step in there with him. Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen has won back-to-back fights this year, improving his overall record to 16-0.

In October, he defeated Fabian Edwards for a second time at Battle of the Giants to successfully defend the 185-pound title for a third time. As seen in this rematch, Eblen’s greatest strength is his wrestling but clearly he would be open to meeting Paul in the middle in terms of the ruleset if that’s something he would be interested in.

Jake Paul Claims Nate Diaz is “Scared” to Fight Him in MMA; Diaz Fires Back at Accusations

Jake Paul Claims Nate Diaz is "Scared" to Fight Him in MMA; Diaz Fires BackTensions continue to escalate between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz as the two combat sports stars exchange heated words…

Jake Paul Claims Nate Diaz is "Scared" to Fight Him in MMA; Diaz Fires Back

Tensions continue to escalate between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz as the two combat sports stars exchange heated words over a potential MMA bout. Jake Paul, the social media sensation turned boxer, recently claimed that Diaz is avoiding a rematch under MMA rules despite the lucrative opportunity it presents.

Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz

“It’s funny that Nate Diaz is actually scared to fight me in MMA,” he said. “The biggest payday of his life would be me and him in MMA. I’m ready.”

Diaz, known for his no-nonsense attitude and storied MMA career, did not take kindly to Paul’s comments. The Stockton native responded on social media with a fiery retort: “Sign the contract Scary and not in 12 months from now and in a shitty organization Scary.”

The feud reignited after their first meeting on August 5, 2023, when Paul defeated Diaz in a boxing match via unanimous decision. The 10-round bout marked Diaz’s professional boxing debut, while Paul improved his record to 7-1. The event drew significant attention, generating 450,000 pay-per-view buys and over $30 million in total revenue.

Following the fight, Paul proposed an MMA rematch, a format where Diaz, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and veteran of the sport, would seemingly have the advantage. However, negotiations have yet to materialize into a signed contract, leading to public speculation and verbal jabs between the two.

Nate Diaz is a former UFC standout with 15 years in the organization, built his reputation on his grappling expertise and resilience in the octagon. His career highlights include defeating Conor McGregor in 2016 and competing for the “BMF” title against Jorge Masvidal in 2019.

‘The Problem Chi’d Jake Paul, on the other hand, has carved his niche by defeating former MMA champions in boxing. He has consistently used his platform to challenge traditional combat sports boundaries, including calling out seasoned fighters like Diaz.

Jake Paul Claims Nate Diaz is Scared to Fight Him in MMA Diaz Fires Back 1

As both fighters continue to exchange barbs, fans are left wondering whether this war of words will translate into action inside the cage. A rematch in MMA could potentially break new ground for crossover combat sports events, adding another chapter to the rivalry between Paul and Diaz.

Fanmio issue statement after Nate Diaz files lawsuit the truth with triumph

For now, the ball appears to be in the court of promoters and managers, as both fighters push for terms that fit their respective goals. One thing is certain: the tension between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz isn’t cooling down anytime soon.

Champion Johnny Eblen Calls Out Jake Paul for MMA Fight Under Modified Rules

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake PaulJohnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social…

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

Johnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social media, Eblen directly challenged ‘The Problem Child’ Paul, the popular social media star and boxer.

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

In a comment directed at Jake Paul, Johnny Eblen said:

“@jakepaul fight me in MMA with modified rules. We both signed to the @pflmma, why not. Let’s run it.”

johnny eblen vs Jake Paul

The challenge carries weight, as both athletes are currently under contract with the PFL. While Eblen’s MMA credentials are unquestionable, boasting a perfect 16-0 record and a dominant wrestling background, Paul has primarily made waves in boxing. However, Paul’s involvement with PFL suggests he’s open to competing in mixed martial arts.

Johnny Eblen has cemented his status as one of the world’s top middleweights, thanks to his dominant title reign in Bellator. Known for his aggressive and technical style, he has successfully defended his title multiple times since capturing it in 2022.

Jake Paul, 27, has carved a unique path in combat sports. After achieving fame as a social media influencer, he transitioned to professional boxing, amassing an 11-1 record. His fights often spark controversy but draw massive attention, with his latest victory over Mike Tyson in November 2024 generating the largest boxing gate in U.S. history outside Las Vegas.

A potential Eblen-Paul fight would bring together two figures in MMA and boxing. While Eblen has proven himself in the cage, Paul’s willingness to explore MMA, especially under modified rules, could bring even more intrigue to the matchup.

Whether this challenge materializes into an actual bout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Johnny Eblen isn’t afraid to mix it up. Now, the ball is in Jake Paul’s court.

Jake Paul Left Breathless by Jutta Leerdam at Rendezvous in Abu Dhabi

Jake Paul Left Breathless by Jutta Leerdam at Rendezvous in Abu DhabiOlympic silver medalist Jutta Leerdam left Jake Paul gasping for air following a rendezvous in Abu Dhabi. Before you…

Jake Paul Left Breathless by Jutta Leerdam at Rendezvous in Abu Dhabi

Olympic silver medalist Jutta Leerdam left Jake Paul gasping for air following a rendezvous in Abu Dhabi.

Before you get too excited, we should clarify that the pair recently documented a bike ride that they went on during their trip to the UAE. In the series of clips, which you can see below via Leerdam’s Instagram, the two were enjoying a brisk ride on their 10-speeds before taking a break so ‘The Problem Child’ could catch his breath.

Leerdam, of course, is a world-class Dutch athlete competing as a speed skater who specializes in sprint events. In 2017, she became the Junior World Champion in Helsinki, Finland before finishing second the following year at the 2018 World Championships in Salt Lake City.

She represented the Netherlands at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing and skated away with a silver medal in the 1000m. She also won the gold medal at the World Sprint Championships in 2022 and is a six-time world champion in speed skating.

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Jutta Leerdam was dubbed the ‘world’s hottest speed skater’

For reasons that we shouldn’t have to explain, the 25-year-old has been dubbed the “world’s hottest speed skater” and as such, is immensely popular on social media with nearly five million Instagram followers and another 1.4 million on TikTok.

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She officially confirmed her relationship with Paul in April 2023 after the two had been trading DMs on Instagram for a few months.

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