Jake Paul is showing no signs of leaving combat sports. Fans are speculating as to who his next opponent could – or should – be, including various MMA and boxing stars. For the moment, Paul appears committed to the sweet science, and won’t be entering the Octagon despite taunts from Dana White and Jorge Masvidal.
Ariel Helwani, veteran MMA journalist, told The DAZN Boxing Show that Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor could be the biggest fight in combat sports, but we’re more likely to see Paul take on McGregor’s longtime nemesis, Nate Diaz.
Ariel Helwani: Paul vs McGregor Would Be “Biggest Fight in Combat Sports”
“The biggest MMA vs. Jake Paul fight to be made right now, in my opinion, is Nathan Diaz. Nathan has one fight left on his contract and he’s trying to get that fight so that he can explore what else is out there. That would be a huge fight and the build-up would be massive.
By the way, there’s a guy named Conor McGregor with just two fights left on his contract. You guys tell me if you think I’m crazy, the biggest fight to be made in combat sports right now whether people like it or hate it is Conor versus Jake Paul, that does well over 2 million buys.”
Jake Paul recently extended his undefeated record by knocking Tyron Woodley out in round six of their rematch. Paul was scheduled to fight Tommy Fury, younger brother to world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, but Fury pulled out due to a rib injury. Tyron Woodley stepped up on only a few weeks’ notice, losing to Jake Paul for the second time.
If Jake Paul insists on fighting mixed martial artists rather than boxers, and retired ones at that, his list of potential opponents diminishes drastically. However, one former UFC star has made a recent, and very successful, switch to boxing.
Anderson Silva, one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, may well prove to be the logical next opponent for Jake Paul. Ariel Helwani says there’s just one spanner in the works.
“I would be down to see Anderson versus Jake. The problem is Anderson has a very good chance in that fight. Anderson is a really good striker. I don’t think people would give Jake his due if he beats Anderson.
I think people want to see someone younger.” Do you want to see Paul vs McGregor, or Paul vs Silva? Let us know in the comments.
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