Jake Paul: Tommy Fury rematch, Conor McGregor showdown… or could Canelo be an option? Now what for the YouTuber turned fighter as he sees a new challenge

Just moments after brushing aside Nate Diaz in the boxing ring, Jake Paul was already planning the next step in his unlikely journey as a professional fighter.

“I want Nate in MMA,” Paul said as he threw down the gauntlet for a showdown with Diaz in the Octagon. “I want more professional boxers and I want (Saul) Canelo (Alvarez).”

The goal of the YouTuber turned boxer to take on Canelo, still regarded by many as one of the best 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, is as brave as it is far-fetched. And his apparent desire to cross over to Diaz’s world for an MMA match is simply dangerous.

But for a former Disney Channel star who has become one of boxing’s headliners in just over three years, who’s to say he doesn’t mean it?

After successfully recovering from his defeat to Tommy Fury in February, Paul is back to his best when he gets out of the ring and takes on his next challenge – no matter how big or small.

So who is he most likely to face in his next fight? Dailymail.com takes a look at the options on the table and how likely they are to happen.

Nate Diaz (MMA)

After outclassing the UFC legend under the Queensberry rules of boxing, Paul claims he is now ready to enter the Octagon and lock horns with Diaz in a $10 million MMA bout.

While it’s a great sound bite, it wouldn’t make much sense for the 26-year-old to venture into a new martial art that poses entirely different threats and challenges.

After successfully getting back to work in boxing, he would risk a pretty gruesome defeat by stepping into the cage with Diaz, whose game on the floor will be vastly superior after nearly two decades in the sport.

It’s only been 11 months since 38-year-old Tony Ferguson choked at UFC 279, and Paul was more likely to suffer the same fate.

With that in mind, he should avoid an MMA clash with Diaz at all costs. And deep down, he probably knows.

CHANCE OF HAPPENING: 2/5

Tommy rage

Although he’s had only a short career so far, the only blemish on Paul’s otherwise perfect resume is his decisive point loss to Fury – a defeat he’ll be desperate to avenge.

But before he can do so, Fury will need to emerge unscathed from his exhibition match against YouTube sensation KSI in October, which saw the two Brits on the verge of colliding at the Manchester Arena.

For Fury, the younger brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson, the victory over another online star could potentially earn him another win to thwart the rise of YouTube boxing for good. A rematch with Paul would therefore interest him.

Much bad blood remains between the two, meaning a second meeting would again be an easy sell. And in Paul’s case, can he really move on without at least trying to settle the score with his nemesis?

If Fury defeats KSI in October as expected, this rematch will be meaningful for both sides.

CHANCE OF HAPPENING: 4/5

KSI

Of course, there’s also the possibility of KSI getting upset and succeeding where Paul failed to topple Fury.

The latter will no doubt call for an immediate rematch if that astonishing result materializes, but an October KSI victory could also deliver one of the highest-grossing events in modern boxing history.

The CEO of Misfits Boxing, real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, has been on a collision course with Paul since he defeated his brother Logan in a professional match in 2019.

With a total of 44.5 million subscribers on YouTube, a meeting between KSI and Paul would simply blow up the internet and generate astonishing pay-per-view numbers.

Even if KSI breaks free from Fury, a fight between the two defeated YouTubers could still make sense, though Paul probably wouldn’t opt ​​for it with that potential rematch on the table.

CHANCE OF HAPPENING: 2/5

Conor McGregor

Paul has long talked about clashing with McGregor, and in recent months the two have gone back and forth with a host of social media slurs.

McGregor took aim at the American after his victory over Diaz on Saturday night and labeled the fight “p*** and s*** in a ring” after being unimpressed by the action.

But his ruthless assessment was water of a duck for Paul, as during his post-fight press conference, he hit back at the former UFC two-weight champion – who is currently facing charges of sexual assault – by telling him to go to rehab.

“I don’t care about that guy.” Paul said when asked to face McGregor. “He needs to go to rehab.”

Calling it quits in the aftermath of his latest win, Paul knows a fight against McGregor in the boxing ring would generate huge interest; with the online king taking on a fighter who is still one of the biggest draws in martial arts.

The only issue keeping Paul and McGregor from meeting is the latter’s proposed MMA meeting with Michael Chandler, which is expected to take place in early 2024.

While no official date has been set for that fight, McGregor’s head could be turned by a more lucrative offer from boxing’s new kid.

CHANCE OF HAPPENING: 2.5/5

Canelo Alvarez

An MMA fight with Diaz is a dangerous proposition, but not ruled out. However, a boxing encounter with Canelo is both dangerous and unfeasible.

The Mexican still has unfinished business as a serious professional athlete before a less competitive exhibition-style fight with Paul would even cross his mind.

First, he will defend his undisputed super-middleweight titles against Jermell Charlo in September, a test he is expected to pass as the undisputed light-middleweight champion jumps up two weight divisions.

And should he prevail, Canelo will undoubtedly turn his attention to a rematch with light-heavyweight master Dmitry Bivol – the only man to beat him in the last decade.

As a result, the chances of Canelo brushing aside an opportunity for revenge against Bivol to maintain a fight with a social media personality are extremely slim – if not impossible.

CHANCE OF HAPPENING: 0.5/5