YouTuber-turned-boxer-turned-wrestler Logan Paul was as surprised as the rest of us to see Nate Diaz agree to fight his brother, fellow YouTuber Jake Paul. An appearance from both brothers on the Impaulsive podcast shed some light on the UFC veteran’s choice to “play” both sides off one another.
First, Logan asked: “How did you get the Nate Diaz fight? Because I thought I had it locked up. I thought for sure I had it locked up, how did you get that fight?”
Logan Paul Admits Nate Diaz Was “Playing” Him To Get Jake Paul Fight
His brother’s answer was simple: “You never had it locked up.” Logan was floored. “He told us we did! He was playing me. He was playing me hard.”
Then Logan Paul’s brother offered some wisdom. “I told you that. I told you he’s playing both sides. Basically, some of the people he worked with… he doesn’t know what the f*** he’s doing. Like, he does and he doesn’t.
But just throwing money at someone doesn’t make them want to do it. At the end of the day, what it came down to, honestly, is that he thought the world would view our fight as way more legitimate than you. Him fighting you, to him was a money grab because you hadn’t ‘beaten anybody.’”
Both Paul brothers have navigated a transition into the controversial and (for fight fans) often confusing world of influencer boxing.
Logan Paul was a pioneer of the concept, boxing fellow influencer KSI back in August 2018. It’s Jake Paul, however, who has made the most of the concept, taking on retired MMA fighters several weight classes below him.
Paul boasts knockout wins over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren, as well as a decision victory over Anderson Silva.
Most recently, however, Paul lost a split decision to Tommy Fury, best known as a reality TV star and younger brother to world heavyweight champ Tyson Fury.
Logan Paul has most recently channelled his high school wrestling credentials and moved into professional wrestling. Paul signed with WWE, appearing in two Wrestlemania matches so far.
While he was still practising the sweet science, however, Logan Paul managed to get himself a fight against Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather handily outboxed Paul throughout the exhibition match, but the fight being and exhibition match meant neither was declared the winner.
Accordingly, Nate Diaz’s supposed notion that Logan Paul hasn’t beaten anyone significant holds some water. Jake Paul will face Nate Diaz on August 5.