JAKE PAUL has set a timeframe for his MMA debut – after secretly training for it ahead of his fight with Tommy Fury.
Paul finally faces Tommy Fury – who has twice pulled out before due to injury and US visa issues – on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
@jakepaul Jake Paul pictured training in MMA[/caption]
It comes just over a month after the YouTuber-turned boxer signed a deal with the UFC’s rivals, The Professional Fighters League.
Paul, 26, will help spearhead the PFL’s new “super-fight” division, which will also host his debut in the cage in 2024.
And the former high-school wrestler has been working on his MMA skills while preparing to fight Fury, 23.
Paul said on The MMA Hour: “After this fight I’m going to get back into the MMA training.
“We’ve been working on the jiu jitsu. It’s coming really naturally and first though.
“I was a wrestler, so like a lot of my movements are just like snapping right back to me when I was doing jiu jitsu/wrestling training.
“And I have the boxing, so it’s really just getting the kicks and being able to defend the kicks, which is going to be interesting.
“But I like to push myself, that’s what life’s about, is living outside your comfort zone, the best people will tell you that.
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“I just wanna do MMA. I think I can be really good at it.”
Paul’s fight with Fury will mark the first time he has faced a recognised professional boxer, despite wins over ex-MMA champions.
He already has Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and UFC great Anderson Silva, 47, on his winning resume in the ring.
But the American is ready to try and add one more legendary UFC name onto his record in Nate Diaz.
Paul said: “I think they’re ready. I’m getting through Sunday and we’re going to line that one up, ASAP.
“Yeah, I think that’s next. I think that’s what the fans want, and that’s who I want.
“There’s been a lot of talk back and forth, we’ve said our stuff, but it’s time to get down to business.”
Paul he has even offered 37-year-old Diaz a two-fight deal, in both the ring and cage.
He said: “I want to do the one fight boxing, one fight MMA, but I’m not sure if Nate’s team is fully aligned on that yet or I don’t know if they realise how serious I am about that.
“I think they thought I was just doing it for hype, but I’m dead ass.”
Jake Paul facing off with Tommy FuryGetty
Nate Diaz is a free agent after leaving the UFCGETTY Read More