Jake Paul signs deal with PFL, issues two-fight challenge to Nate Diaz

After running up his record to 6-0 in the boxing ring against several former UFC champions and chastising UFC president Dana White on fighter pay issues, Jake Paul has signed a deal to compete for PFL where he will make his MMA debut in early-2024.

The New York Times first reported the news Thursday. 

Paul is the first fighter and co-founder of the company’s PPV Super Fight division where revenues are shared 50% between the organization and the fighters. He will not be part of their regular season slate that also features a playoff format.

In the video seen below, Paul issued a challenge to former UFC star Nate Diaz for both a boxing match and an MMA fight six months later.

The multi-year, multi-fight deal includes a minority equity stake for himself and a business partner, former UFC CFO Nakisa Bidarian. Paul will also be the company’s head of fighter advocacy where he will promote shows and fighters. He is expected to keep pursuing his boxing career as well.

PFL, who airs on ESPN, debuted on PPV in November and are expected to air two more PPVs this year via ESPN+. 

Paul has defeated Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley twice and Anderson Silva in boxing and according to PFL co-founder Donn Davis, the level of opponent the 25-year-old is looking for in MMA “will shock the world in terms of their status and name brand.”

Along the way, Paul has feuded publicly with the aforementioned White about issues like fighter pay. In the video below, Paul drove home that fighters are going to make more money in PFL and even tweaked his rival at the very end.

Paul, who said he was interested in WWE at one point, appeared at November’s WWE Crown Jewel to aid his brother Logan Paul against The Bloodline during Logan’s match against WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.