YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is one of the more controversial figures in the world of combat sports. He recently signalled his all-in involvement by signing a contract with MMA organization Pro Fighting League. PFL founder Donn Davis believes that Paul is the single best marketer and promoter he’s ever seen in combat sports.
“If you look at each of them individually, Jake is the best marketer and promoter we’ve seen in combat sports ever. Ever. Maybe since Muhammad Ali.
PFL Founder: Jake Paul is “Best Marketer and Promoter” in History of Combat Sports
Nakisa [Bidarian], he’s one of five people in the world that understand the economics and financials of pay-per-view. Maybe one of the five. So, we have one of the best businessmen in pay-per-view and we have one of the best promoters and marketers in pay-per-view now exclusively on the PFL platform to help us build that division. Couldn’t be more exciting.
Once again, if you’re a pay-per-view fighter, we’ve added muscle expertise to our already existing … call it global distribution and renowned production ability. This place is now ready for you to build your brand, make more money, and have more control.”
Davis continued, pointing out Paul’s business acumen as vital to his success in the fight game. He’s also impressed that Paul chose PFL, undeniably a smaller platform than other, larger organizations like the UFC and Bellator. For Davis, Paul is raising the PFL brand along with his own.
“The bigger part of this deal is Jake Paul being a marketer, creator, and promoter of the fights that he is not in for PFL.
He is now exclusively on our platform to raise the profile of other fighters in other fights in the super fight division and in the league. Jake has more followers and more engagements than the UFC himself.
So, his ability to raise the brand of PFL and raise the engagement profile of fights he is not in is the biggest deal and the biggest news here. And it’s already taking effect.
The second piece of the deal is him as a fighter. Eating his own cooking. He’s made over $50 million in just three years and he’s saying, ‘Hey, the place I’m choosing in MMA is PFL, this is the best platform and I’m gonna be the first fighter to sign to this platform.’”
Do you think Don Davis is right about Jake Paul, or will this just be a flash in the pan? Let us know in the comments.