2. Jake Paul’s MMA Debut
Hear me out about this intrusion to the list.
The boxing career of Jake Paul has been highly lucrative and it is likely to continue as he takes aim at Tommy Fury and Nate Diaz in 2023. It is very likely that he excels in both bouts, and a bout with Diaz would also likely net him a significant chunk of change considering the UFC veteran’s loyal fan base.
But his most recent bout with Anderson Silva also provided an important note: the novelty of Paul’s foray into boxing has waned. The public has caught on to the fact that “The Problem Child” is a far more capable boxer than any could have imagined he would be and he is only getting better. If and when he does eventually take on a bonafide boxing contender, it would likely be a blockbuster bout. But when he will get to that point is anyone’s guess.
This is where an MMA fight comes into play. Paul has teased a potential foray into the sport and there is no question that he would have options should he seriously look to enter the cage. While his friction with Dana White may keep it from happening inside the UFC, there is no question that Bellator, the PFL, or any other promotion would seriously consider opening the checkbook for what would easily be one of the more intriguing bouts of the year. Considering the struggle for any non-UFC entity to put on a successful pay-per-view, the possibility of having Paul lead a showcase of another promotion’s talent may be worth the financial risk.
