MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian proposed Jake Paul vs. Conor McGregor fights in both boxing and MMA to TMZ Sports. He envisions a co-promotion with UFC's Dana White, noting Paul is eager for an Octagon bout despite McGregor's UFC contract. This stems from ongoing crossover talks, positioning it as one of combat sports' biggest draws. It matters for MMA's mainstream appeal, blending influencer boxing hype with UFC star power. Fans could see back-to-back mega-events; next steps hinge on negotiations between promotions.
Reports surfaced on March 12, 2026, that Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian has pitched a pair of blockbuster crossover events pairing Jake Paul against Conor McGregor — one in a boxing ring and one inside the UFC's Octagon — in conversations with TMZ Sports. The proposal remains unconfirmed and should be treated as speculative at this stage.
Bidarian's vision reportedly centers on a co-promotion involving UFC president Dana White, with Paul said to be enthusiastic about competing under MMA rules despite McGregor holding an active UFC contract. No formal negotiations have been announced by either promotional body.
McGregor, the 37-year-old Irishman out of SBG Ireland, carries a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses and remains one of combat sports' most recognizable names. Fighting out of a southpaw stance at five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach, he has posted 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute across his career — a mark that reflects the sharp, high-output striking that made him a two-division UFC champion. His striking accuracy sits at 49 percent.
No verified data for Jake Paul was available in the AgentMMA database at the time of publication.
Why it matters
- A boxing matchup would pit McGregor's professional combat pedigree against Paul's growing record as a professional boxer, drawing from both audiences.
- An MMA bout would carry significant divisional and contractual complexity, given McGregor's existing relationship with the UFC.
- Co-promotion between MVP and the UFC would be a rare arrangement, making any agreement historically significant for the sport's business landscape.
- Mainstream crossover interest could generate pay-per-view numbers that rival or exceed traditional UFC tentpole events.
