Jake Paul stated on Theo Von's podcast that he plans to fight Nate Diaz under MMA rules if Diaz can defeat Mike Perry. Paul made a dramatic promise, swearing on his mother's life, and called Diaz the easiest and worst boxer he has ever faced. He expressed his desire to fight Diaz in MMA, saying he doesn't care about the money and has enough already. Paul believes the MMA fight will happen at some point. The statement comes as Paul continues to navigate between boxing and potential MMA ventures.
Jake Paul has issued a conditional MMA challenge to Nate Diaz, declaring on Theo Von's podcast that he will fight Diaz under mixed martial arts rules if Diaz first defeats Mike Perry.
Paul left little room for ambiguity, reportedly swearing on his mother's life to back up the promise. He also took a pointed shot at Diaz, calling him the easiest and worst boxer he has ever faced. Despite that dismissal, Paul said he genuinely wants the MMA matchup and insisted money is not a motivating factor, claiming he already has enough of it.
Nate Diaz, 41, carries a 22-13 professional record and remains one of the most recognizable names in combat sports. The Stockton native trains out of the Cesar Gracie Fight Team and brings a well-rounded skill set into any fight. Standing six feet tall with a 76-inch reach, the southpaw lands 4.57 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting the dangerous grappling game he has built his career on.
Mike Perry, 34, holds a 14-8 record and fights out of the orthodox stance. Known by his nickname Platinum, the five-foot-ten American lands 4.32 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, making him a credible striking threat for Diaz to overcome before any Paul matchup could materialize.
Why it matters
- Paul's conditional offer means a Diaz victory over Perry could directly set up an MMA crossover fight
- A Diaz win would give the veteran renewed momentum and a high-profile opponent waiting on the other side
- The style matchup would pit Paul's boxing base against Diaz's submission-heavy grappling, a significant transition for Paul
- The callout keeps Paul's name tied to MMA at a time when he is weighing options beyond boxing
