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 called Diaz "the easiest and worst boxer I've ever fought" and swore on his deceased mother's life about his intentions. He emphasized that money is not a factor in wanting the MMA bout and believes the fight will happen. Paul had previously faced Diaz in a boxing match. The MMA fight would represent Paul's continued expansion beyond boxing into mixed martial arts competition.
Jake Paul has publicly called out Nate Diaz for an MMA bout, but with a condition attached — Diaz must first get past Mike Perry.
Speaking on Theo Von's podcast, Paul made clear he wants to cross over into mixed martial arts to face Diaz, stating that money plays no role in his desire to make the fight happen. He swore on his deceased mother's life to underscore his sincerity and expressed confidence the bout will eventually take place. The callout comes after Paul and Diaz previously met in a boxing match, with Paul describing Diaz as the easiest and worst boxer he has ever faced.
Nate Diaz, 41, carries a 22-13 record and has long been one of the most recognizable names in combat sports. The Stockton native trains out of the Cesar Gracie Fight Team and fights out of a southpaw stance. Standing six feet tall with a 76-inch reach, Diaz brings a well-rounded game built around volume striking and submission grappling, averaging 4.57 significant strikes per minute and 1.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout his career.
Standing between Diaz and that potential MMA payday is Mike Perry, known as Platinum. The 34-year-old American holds a 14-8 record and fights out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach. Perry averages 4.32 significant strikes per minute with a 47 percent striking accuracy, making him a durable and aggressive opponent on the feet.
Why it matters
- A Paul versus Diaz MMA contest would mark a significant step in Paul's transition from boxing into full mixed martial arts competition.
- Diaz's submission-heavy grappling style would present a far more complex challenge for Paul than their original boxing encounter.
- The outcome of Diaz versus Perry now carries added weight, with a high-profile MMA callout riding on the result.
