Most Valuable Promotions and Real Fight Inc. announced on Wednesday morning that Jake Paul would take on former UFC fighter Nate Diaz in an 8-round boxing fight.
The bout goes down on DAZN PPV from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. on August 5.
Jake Paul Takes on Nate Diaz on PPV
“My last fight didn’t end the way I wanted, but the result was the best thing that could have happened to my professional boxing aspirations. Now, the world thinks I am vulnerable, when all I am is more focused than ever. My team wanted me to take an easy fight like KSI next, but that’s not how I am built. Nate Diaz is considered one of the most bad-ass fighters of all time, but he and his team have been running their mouths for too long,” said Paul. “People tell me Nate has been training with Andre Ward for years. That he has insane stamina. That he refuses to back down. Good for fucking Nate. I haven’t forgotten about the slap backstage in Arizona, and on August 5th, a Problem Child is going to piece up and knock out the Stockton G.”
“Besides Canelo he’s the biggest thang in boxing. I’m here to conquer that. I’m the King of combat sports and then I’m headed back to get my UFC belts,” said Diaz. “I fucked up Conor for acting out and now here I am again, like a Super Hero of the Real Fight game, the King of the Real Fight game.”
Paul and Diaz have been going back and forth over the past year and a half and the fight will finally come to fruition.
Diaz fought under the UFC banner for 15 years and became a free agent following his last fight. The Stockton native earned a guillotine choke submission at UFC 279 in 2022 against Tony Ferguson.
Paul made the transition from YouTube to boxing in 2018 and made his professional debut in 2020. The 25-year-old racked up a six-fight winning streak, beating social media personalities and former MMA fighters in Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva. In his most recent bout, Paul lost to Tommy Fury by split decision.
August 5 the star power will face the bad boy
“Jake’s star power and popularity continue to command massive audiences worldwide. His most recent bout, Paul vs. Fury, surpassed more than 800,000 pay-per-view purchases and was a commercial success for all our partners. Jake remains one of the most avidly followed fighters in the sport and all eyes are on him, wondering what’s next,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “Well, what’s next is one of the most vicious men ever in the cage. I couldn’t be more excited to bring this fight to fruition with two of the most polarizing figures in the game, who have both shown the heart to fight through adversity. We are incredibly proud to work with Nate Diaz, Real Fight, DAZN, and American Airlines Center to showcase this thrilling matchup and have no doubt that Paul vs Diaz will be the hottest ticket in Dallas this summer.”
“Nate’s departure from the UFC made him the most sought-after free agent in combat sports history with all eyes looking to see what his next move would be,” said Real Fight Inc. President, Zach Rosenfield. “In choosing to make his boxing debut against Jake Paul, Nate found an opponent where there is an organic, non-scripted backstory that motivates him and will clearly capture the excitement of audiences throughout the world. Together with MVP, we look forward to producing an event worthy of the names of the marquee.”
“We are incredibly excited to have this mega fight on DAZN around the world,” said Joe Markowski, CEO of DAZN North America. “One of the biggest names in boxing meeting one of the biggest names in MMA makes for a truly unique matchup on a global scale. Watch it live globally on DAZN PPV.”
“We are thrilled to host the highly anticipated Paul vs. Diaz fight at American Airlines Center on August 5th” says Dave Brown, Chief Operating Officer & General Manager of American Airlines Center. “Dallas provides the perfect location to reach a massive audience and showcase the most exciting boxing match scheduled for this summer.”
