Jake Paul ‘absolutely’ serious about sending huge $10MILLION offer to MMA icons for debut cage fight
JAKE PAUL has the backing to offer Nate Diaz or Jorge Masvidal a huge $10MILLION to fight him in his MMA debut.
Paul is 9-1 as a boxer but last year signed a contract with the Professional Fighters League where he will cross over to the cage.
Meanwhile, Masvidal has been granted permission from the UFC to pursue boxing before returning to the octagon after.
He takes to the ring for the first time on June 1 against Nate Diaz, 39, beaten over ten boxing rounds by Paul last year.
Masvidal, 39, won their 2019 UFC bout after Diaz was pulled out by the cageside doctor amid a horror cut – but they will now rematch in boxing.
The pair put aside their feud to mutually chant “f*** Jake Paul” alongside a raucous Las Vegas press conference crowd.
Paul responded to the heckling by brazenly offering both Masvidal and Diaz a deal worth $10m (£8m) to fight him in the PFL cage.
And PFL CEO Peter Murray admitted the big-money offer is justified.
Murray told SunSport: “We know what that fight will command. It’s one of the biggest events in MMA.
“Absolutely, in terms of the draw in terms of the internet so that’s what it’s all about.
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“He’s training, he’s building it up and there’s a line of top MMA fighters who would like that chance and that opportunity.
“And with discussions with Jake we’ll determine who we think is the biggest opponent and event.”
Paul, 27, returns on July 20 in Texas against boxing icon Mike Tyson, 57, in a controversial clash scrutinised over the 30-year age gap.
It looks to have delayed his debut in MMA – but the American has a custom-built cage in his gym which he has used to prepare for the switch.
Murray revealed: “He’s got the PFL SmartCage directly on his compound in Puerto Rico.
“Obviously, he’s super focussed on boxing right now with the Mike Tyson fight coming up.
“But he’s committed to making his debut and we’re excited.”
