Jake Paul tries to persuade Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight in MVP x PFL
Khabib Nurmagomedov was recently courted by Jake Paul, who hoped to convince him to walk back on his retirement and fight in the MVP x PFL merger.
Back in 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov stunned the MMA world when he announced his retirement from the sport at UFC 254. For many, it was too soon for him to walk away, and 'The Eagle' had to fend off several of Dana White's attempts to convince him to return. While those attempts have since stopped, Jake Paul recently made his own attempt following the MVP x PFL merger.
Jake Paul tries to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov back
Khabib Nurmagomedov served as a cornerman for his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, last Friday at PFL New York: Nurmagomedov vs. Colgan. His cousin emerged victorious over Archie Colgan, knocking him out in round one to defend the PFL lightweight title. This all coincided with the recent MVP x PFL merger, so when Jake Paul crossed paths with 'The Eagle' backstage, he asked him for his thoughts on the merger, to which he said:
"Amazing. I think it's good. It's good for MMA."
However, it wasn't long before Paul tried to convince the UFC Hall of Famer to buy into the merger as an active fighter:
"With what we're doing, this merger with MVP, we're changing MMA forever, where we give fighters a better place to live. If you fought for us, it would monumentally change the sport forever."
Khabib’s face after Jake Paul tried recruiting him to fight in MVP x PFL 💀
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 5, 2026
(via @MostVpromotions) pic.twitter.com/Kqpo0Qwvfg
Unfortunately for Paul, his dream of seeing 'The Eagle' fight in whatever will become of the MVP x PFL merger is almost certainly an impossibility. It's been six years since the Dagestani legend fought anyone, and he seems more than content with retired life as a coach. Right now, he is more focused on preparing Islam Makhachev, his protegé, for UFC 330, where Makhachev will defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry in the main event. Meanwhile, many are waiting for Paul to dip his toe in MMA as a fighter. He previously signed with the PFL back in early 2023, but his deal with the promotion expired in early 2026.
