Jake Paul’s Transition To MMA, Explained

Highlights

• Jake Paul plans to compete in MMA while continuing his boxing career, having signed a multi-fight contract with the PFL.
• Paul faced BJJ black belt AJ Agazarm in a cage match, showcasing his early interest in MMA.
• The YouTuber turned-boxer has gained attention in the combat sports world with impressive wins, eyeing a bout against Mike Tyson and Nate Diaz.

All eyes have been on Jake Paul in the combat sports world – but some may not know that he is set to start competing in mixed martial arts as he continues his boxing career.

Before boxing, the social media star was known as a YouTube entertainer. Now he’s been a fascinating name for younger fighters to watch rise in the rankings. While he makes money from boxing, Paul has a background in MMA and plans to compete in the sport which was evident when he called out Nate Diaz for an MMA bout. ‘The Problem Child’ has signed a multi-fight contract with the PFL.

How MMA Started For Paul

Paul Faced BJJ Black Belt AJ Agazarm in a Cage

• Against Agazarm, the Problem Child spent most of the time either controlled or in a bottom position on the ground.
• Paul has intrugued the boxing community and plans to do the same in MMA.

Paul is not a complete stranger to MMA. There’s a video of him fighting Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt (BJJ) AJ Agazarm in a cage. It’s unclear when exactly the fight took place, but he looks much younger and lighter than, of course, his current 27-year-old self.

The fight did not go the Ohio natives wayas Paul spent most of the match in either the bottom position on the ground or getting controlled when in stand-up. Less than two minutes into the second round, the influencer tapped due to an armbar. It’s unclear how serious the fight was. For example, Paul, after the first round, was seen eating a donut on camera. Also, the referee jokingly disqualified Paul after accidentally eye-poking his 5′ 8″ opponent. How much he trained for MMA up until the point of the fight is unknown – but he didn’t look great against a grappler. However, Paul and his brother Logan had experience in wrestling when they were in high school.

Paul has taken at least one thing in combat sports seriously – and that’s boxing. After impressing in his first amateur match against fellow popular YouTuber Deji Olatunji, he has stepped up his competition. Paul was able to earn a fight against former Olympic wrestler and UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren and knocked him out in the first round. While it was expected Paul would win – he opened eyes in the combat sports community. Other UFC legends, including Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz, and Anderson Silva, wanted a piece of The Problem Child.

However, the YouTuber turned-boxer has beaten all three, including a fierce knockout against Woodley. Overall, Paul has gone 9-1 in his professional career, with his only loss being to undefeated boxer Tommy Fury. Of his victories, six of them have been by knockout.

What’s Next For Paul In MMA?

Paul Scheduled to Fight Tyson In July

• Nate Diaz rejected up to $15 million to fight Jake Paul in the PFL.
• Paul helped create new Pay-Per-View division in the PFL.

Paul will likely fight soon in the PFL – but not before his highly anticipated match against boxing legend and former Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

After the bout, scheduled for July, who will he fight next in the PFL? What we know is Davis, chairman and founder of the MMA league, told The MMA Hour that he expects The Problem Child to first make an appearance inside the SmartCage at the end of the year.

The opponent is unknown, as of now – but previously Davis, who founded the PFL in 2017, said that he had offered Diaz up to $15 million to fight Paul.

Meanwhile, Paul’s deal with the PFL is a multi-fight contract to complete in the league’s new PPV Super Fight Division, which will offer fighters 50 percent of the revenue from the events.

Another question is how will Paul do in transitioning from boxing to MMA? His one fight against Agazarm years ago is tough to judge. But Paul in January 2023, began training BJJ with black belt Mike Perez.

Keep in mind that Paul has a long way to go. Making the transition from boxing to MMA is far from seamless, as he will have to worry about various other techniques aside from just punches. This includes preventing takedowns, avoiding submissions, and leg kicks. And Diaz is far from the ideal first opponent he can face in the PFL. The 38-year-old is a black belt in BJJ and has 13 successful submissions in his 22-win professional MMA career, including against Conor McGregor. So expect Diaz to be a heavy favorite if and when he fights The Problem Child.

But Paul might not be just competing in MMA solely to stack up wins or become the next champion. The Problem Child has been a long-outspoken critic of UFC President Dana White over fighter pay. The most popular MMA company in the world only reportedly gives its combatants around 20 percent of the revenue share.

“Not only am I an MMA fighter but I’m also a co-founder of the new PFL pay-per-view super-fight division,” Paul said in a YouTube post. I will be the head of fighter advocacy, and I’m going to use my platform to market PFL fighters and introduce them to my fans worldwide.”

How seriously Paul takes MMA remains to be seen – but, likewise, we will never see him fight in the UFC. Also, the advocacy for fair fighter pay is likely something he’s doing to boost his brand. Like Paul, or hate him, he’s without question one of the most must-watch public figures in sports right now.