Jake Paul’s much-published transition from YouTube Stardom to professional boxing is one of Combat Sports’ most viewed stories. However, despite signing a well-known contract with the PFL in 2023 and repeatedly bullying his move to mixed martial arts, PFL leadership says Paul’s MMA debut is increasingly unlikely.
Jake Paul’s future issues with PFL MMA
In early 2023, Paul signed an exclusive multi-year deal with the PFL, becoming the first fighter in the league’s new pay-per-view superfight division. The deal included both the options Paul had for fighting in MMA and the role of an advisory to promote the league and its fighter. Paul and his business partner Naxa Bidalian have also become minority shareholders in PFL.
At the time, Paul declared his intention to compete in MMA, saying, “I am planning to enter the PFL smart cage and show the world that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible again.” He called out names of famous MMAs such as Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor for a potential cross-email line showdown.
Despite these ambitions, it has been more than two years since Paul’s signature and he has not yet made his MMA debut. Dan Hardy, who oversees European events in the PFL, recently raised doubts about whether Paul will fight in the MMA. “Have you ever met him at MMA? I don’t think so,” Hardy told MMA Fighting. “He’s focused quite a bit on boxing. It’s a lot of work for him to go to mixed martial arts and he’s not going to fight anyone you’ve never heard of before. It has to be a decent name. Otherwise people wouldn’t see it.
Hardy and others within the PFL view Jake Paul primarily as a promotional asset, not a future MMA competitor. “He’s definitely a destroyer. That’s the main purpose he’s serving now. He’s a benefit to the PFL in that respect,” Hardy said.
Paul’s focus remains in boxing, where he continues to attract considerable attention and income. He continues to headline major events, calling top-notch opponents, including two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua. Florida State Speaker Don Davis recently said Paul’s boxing success delayed his MMA plan and “there is no pressure to hurry him,” suggesting that if that happens, the MMA’s debut would not be made by the fall of 2025.
Jake Paul’s first PFL signature created excitement about a crossover to MMA, but the league’s leadership openly doubts he’ll step into the cage. For now, Paul’s influence on the PFL appears to be as a promoter and destroyer, as his combat career is firmly rooted in boxing.