Jake Paul immediately arranges $10 million MMA rematch with Nate Diaz after defeating UFC legend in the boxing ring
- Jake Paul defeated UFC legend Nate Diaz by unanimous decision in a boxing match
- ‘The Problem Child’ extended his career record to 7-1 with the win in Dallas
- The pair now face each other in another $10 million (£7.84 million) MMA rematch.
Jake Paul has drafted Nate Diaz in a $10 million (£7.84 million) MMA rematch minutes after he defeated the UFC legend in the boxing ring.
The pair faced each other in Dallas in a hard-fought encounter, with ‘The Problem Child’ emerging victorious by unanimous decision.
Their fight lasted a whopping 10 rounds, Paul’s first time doing so, while also marking Diaz’s first bout in boxing after leaving UFC after 15 years in 2022.
The 38-year-old was knocked down by his younger opponent in the fifth round, but fought on towards the end despite two serious black eyes, although Paul was the clear winner.
And within minutes of the judges’ unanimous decision – 97-92 98-91 98-91 – Paul immediately challenged Diaz to another fight, this time in the Octagon.
Jake Paul (left) has lined up a $10 million (£7.4 million) MMA rematch with UFC star Nate Diaz (right)
Paul defeated Diaz by unanimous decision after their Dallas fight had gone the full 10 rounds
“I want to turn it back in MMA,” he told DAZN. “There is a $10 million PFL (Professional Fighting League) offer.
“Let’s turn it back in MMA – make it fair. I won one, now it’s your chance on home soil – let’s do it.’
Diaz, 38, outlined his desire to take the offer up when he said: ‘Yeah, let’s do it. I want to try and do it.
“He’s tough and I wish I could have done better, but some things didn’t happen the way I wanted, but he won this one.
“I fight everyone, I don’t care. MMA sounds good and I will try to get one back. Everyone believes he whipped me, but I’d like to disagree.’
The win marks a significant moment in Paul’s fast-growing career in what was his first fight since his split decision loss to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia in February.
Paul – who was regularly booed by supporters in Dallas – was impressive throughout and felt fully justified by the result that extended his career record to 7-1, 4KOs.
Paul added: ‘He’s tough, he’s very tough. He is known for that, but tough in this sport does not work.
“I’ve done enough, I’ve knocked him down, actually won every round, but he’s a warrior. He kept coming and no one took that much damage.
Diaz showed impressive courage to fight on despite being knocked down in the fifth round
Within minutes of the result, Paul challenged Diaz to a second clash in the Octagon
“All credit to my team and fitness after 10 rounds in my eighth fight, I defeated a UFC legend.
It’s now back to the drawing board. There are a lot of names (out there.) Tommy Fury rematch? With this new team I am a new fighter and I will try to get that back.”
He continued, “I’m just happy with the win and it shows that when you’re a kid watching at home, you can do it with hard work and dedication.
“Don’t take no for an answer and believing in yourself is your most important tool. That’s how I got here. I love you, I love the fans, I love my brother – we did this together. This is such a surreal moment.’