Just moments after pushing Nate Diaz aside 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 that.” [Saul] Canelo [Alvarez].’
The YouTuber-turned-boxer’s goal of taking on Canelo, who is still regarded by many as one of the top ten pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, is as daring as it is far-fetched. And his apparent desire to dip into Diaz’s world for an MMA competition is downright dangerous.
But who can say to a former Disney Channel star who, in just over three years, has become one of boxing’s headlines, that he doesn’t mean business?
After successfully recovering from his loss to Tommy Fury in February, Paul is back at his best outside the ring, preparing for his next challenge – no matter how big or small.
So who is he most likely to face in his next fight? takes a look at the options available and how likely they are to materialize.
Jake Paul returned to winning ways against UFC legend Nate Diaz on Saturday night in Dallas
So who could Paul face next? takes a look at the potential options on the table
Nate Diaz (MMA)
After outclassing the UFC legend under the Queensberry Rules of boxing, Paul claims he’s now ready to enter the Octagon and square off with Diaz in a $10m MMA fight.
While it makes for a great bit of sound, there would be little logic for the 26-year-old to venture into a new martial art that poses entirely different threats and challenges.
Having successfully regained his footing in the sport of boxing, he would risk a rather gruesome defeat if he entered the cage with Diaz, whose game on the floor will be clearly superior after almost two decades in the sport.
It’s only been 11 months since the 38-year-old beat Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 and Paul would likely meet a similar fate sooner.
With that in mind, he should avoid an MMA clash with Diaz at all costs. And deep down, he probably knows.
PASSING POSSIBILITIES: 2/5
Paul claims he’s ready to take on Diaz in MMA, but that would likely end badly for him
Tommy Fury
Though his career has been short so far, the only blemish on Paul’s otherwise perfect resume is his final point loss to Fury – a defeat he is dying to avenge.
Before he can do that, however, Fury must first get through his exhibition match against YouTube sensation KSI in October unscathed, with the two Brits set to clash at the Manchester Arena.
For Fury, the younger brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson, a win over another online star would potentially be one win away from thwarting the rise of YouTube boxing for good. A rematch with Paul would therefore be interesting for him.
A rematch with Tommy Fury would give the YouTuber-turned fighter a shot at revenge
Fury inflicted the first defeat of Paul’s newly launched professional boxing career in February
There is still a lot of bad blood between the two, which means a second meeting again would be an easy sell. And in his case, can Paul really move on without at least trying to settle scores with his nemesis?
If Fury defeats KSI in October as expected, this rematch will make sense for both sides.
PASSING POSSIBILITIES: 4/5
ASI
Of course, there’s also the possibility of KSI creating an upset and succeeding where Paul failed in toppling Fury.
The latter will no doubt require an immediate rematch if that stunning result occurs, but a KSI win in October could also result in one of the highest-grossing events in modern boxing history.
Misfits Boxing CEO, real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, has been on a collision course with Paul since he defeated his brother Logan in a professional competition in 2019.
With a total of 44.5 million subscribers on YouTube, a meeting between KSI and Paul would quite simply blow up the internet and garner staggering pay-per-view numbers.
Fury will face another YouTube star, KSI (pictured), in an exhibition match this October
Should KSI cause a stir, it could see the long-awaited showdown with online rival Paul
Even if KSI were to fail against Fury, a fight between the two beaten YouTubers could still make sense, although Paul probably wouldn’t go for it with that potential rematch on the table.
PASSING POSSIBILITIES: 2/5
Conor McGregor
Paul has long spoken of a conflict with McGregor and a spate of insults have erupted between the two on social media in recent months.
McGregor targeted the American after his win over Diaz on Saturday night, labeling the fight a “P*** and S*** in the ring” after being unfazed by the action.
But his brutal assessment came as a shock to Paul, because in his post-fight press conference, he hit back and challenged the former UFC two-weight champion, who is currently facing sexual assault charges, by urging him to go to rehab .
“I don’t care about this guy,” Paul said when asked to face McGregor. “He needs to go to rehab.”
Conor McGregor has traded plenty of insults with Paul in recent months but is expected to face Michael Chandler next
Although he quit after his recent win, Paul knows a fight against McGregor in the boxing ring would generate a lot of interest; The online king takes on a fighter who remains one of the biggest draws in combat sports.
The only issue preventing Paul and McGregor from meeting next is his scheduled MMA meeting with Michael Chandler, which is expected to take place in early 2024.
While no official date has been set for this bout, McGregor’s head could be turned by a more lucrative offer from a boxing newbie on the block.
CHANCES OF PASSING: 2.5/5
Canelo Alvarez
An MMA fight with Diaz is a dangerous proposition, but not impossible. However, a boxing encounter with Canelo is both dangerous and unfeasible.
The Mexican still has work to do as a serious professional athlete before he even considers a less competitive exhibition match with Paul.
Paul’s ambition to take on Canelo Alvarez is both bold and far-fetched
First, he will defend his undisputed super middleweight titles against Jermell Charlo in September, a test he looks set to pass as the undisputed light middleweight champion moves up two weight classes.
And should he prevail in this fight, Canelo will no doubt turn his attention to a rematch with light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol – the only man to defeat him in the last decade.
As such, the chances of Canelo foiling an attempt to get revenge on Bivol to pick a fight with a social media personality are extremely slim — if not impossible.
Probability of occurrence: 0.5/5