Social media influencer turned boxer Jake Paul has signed a multi-year contract with the Professional Fighters League and plans to compete in both boxing and MMA in 2023.
The New York Times was the first to report the story.
Paul, 25, will compete in a newly-created division called Super Fight within PFL. He will be part of future PFL PPVs as part of the deal.
As part of the announcement Paul has posted a video detailing the move to the PFL. You can see it above.
In the video Paul says he has offered MMA star Nate Diaz a two-fight deal which consists of a boxing match and an MMA fight. Diaz has not responded to the claim as of this post.
Paul had been teasing a move to MMA for a while now, and has signed a contract with PFL that is actually quite unique. As part of the deal Paul, and his business partner and former UFC CFO Nakisa Bidarian, own an equity share of the PFL.
Paul’s title within the PFL will be known as “Head of Fighter Advocacy”. Bidarian will work with PFL on league operations and logistics according to the New York Times.
In Paul’s Super Fight division fighters will reportedly earn at least 50 percent of PPV revenue. PFL will be broadcast on both ESPN and DAZN. The division is meant, as the name says, for super fights with fighters who are already draws in the sport.
“This is about changing MMA, disrupting, innovating, and creating the next big league,” said Paul told the NY Times.
Paul, 6-0 in boxing, has competed against MMA fighters in boxing. He’s defeated Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and most recently Anderson Silva. Paul earned a unanimous decision victory over the MMA legend recently in Arizona.
No fights have been announced for Paul in either boxing or MMA at this point.
