Jake Paul, the controversial YouTuber-turned-prizefighter, continues to make waves in the world of combat sports. In his latest victory, Paul defeated MMA fighter Nate Diaz via unanimous decision at the American Airlines Center. This win solidifies his undefeated record against MMA fighters and further establishes him as a force to be reckoned with in the boxing ring.
From the opening round, it seemed that Paul would easily cruise to victory or even finish the fight early. He managed to hurt Diaz, showcasing his power and technique. However, Diaz proved his resilience and made it a competitive match. Despite being knocked down in the fifth round, Diaz refused to back down and recovered quickly. He even joked about attempting a guillotine choke in the final round, displaying his unwavering determination.
Throughout the fight, Paul demonstrated his superiority by outlanding Diaz in total punches, with a remarkable count of 174-143. His strategic use of a left hook proved to be particularly effective, repeatedly hurting Diaz from the outside. Diaz’s best moments in the match came from his work on the inside, but he struggled to defend against Paul’s left hook to the body.
Following his victory, Paul challenged Diaz to an MMA fight, and Diaz appeared open to the idea. In fact, Paul and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) have a standing $10 million offer for Diaz to compete in an MMA bout. However, Diaz’s representative, Zach Rosenfield, stated that the price would need to be higher than $10 million for Diaz to consider it. Diaz expressed his desire for a rematch, whether it be in boxing or MMA, emphasizing his determination to defeat Paul.
At just 26 years old, Paul has already achieved remarkable success in the boxing world. With wins over former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, as well as a knockout victory over former MMA champion Ben Askren, Paul has established himself as a legitimate professional boxer. Impressively, Paul has only been in the boxing scene for three years, making his rise even more remarkable.
In contrast, Diaz, who is 38 years old, made his professional boxing debut against Paul. Having spent 17 years in the UFC, Diaz was one of the promotion’s biggest stars. Notably, he secured a victory over Conor McGregor, handing McGregor his first UFC loss in 2016. Diaz left the UFC as a free agent after defeating Tony Ferguson, determined to seek out the biggest and most intriguing fights on his own terms. Despite the loss to Paul, Diaz remains a respected figure in the world of combat sports.
The Paul vs. Diaz fight was a monumental collaboration between Diaz’s Real Fight Inc. and Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. Both fighters were set to earn impressive eight-figure paychecks, surpassing Diaz’s earnings from any of his UFC fights. This battle was undeniably the biggest fight of Paul’s career, as he faced a proven pay-per-view draw in Diaz. The partnership between Real Fight Inc. and Most Valuable Promotions showcased the true spectacle that combat sports can offer, drawing in viewers from across the world.
The build-up to the fight was not without controversy and drama. Tensions ran high during the week, with verbal exchanges between the fighters and physical altercations involving their respective teams’ security guards. Diaz attributed this clash to ideological and generational differences, highlighting the clash between his old-school martial artist background and Paul’s influence from Gen Z influencer culture. However, it seems that the animosity has dissipated post-fight, with Diaz showing respect and acknowledging Paul’s skills.
Jake Paul has undoubtedly established himself as a trailblazer in the world of combat sports. With his undefeated record against MMA fighters and a growing list of victories over renowned opponents, Paul has proven that he is not just a YouTuber looking for attention. Despite drawing controversy and criticism, he has shown dedication and remarkable progress in his boxing career. As he continues his journey, it will be intriguing to see who he faces next and how he continues to shape the landscape of combat sports.