Jake Paul says he’s getting closer to his MMA debut.
‘The Problem Child’ has turned his internet celebrity status into a lucrative boxing career that has seen him claim five wins in five fights so far.
Paul holds boxing victories over fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, retired NBA player Nate Robinson, former Bellator MMA champion Ben Askren and former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, whom he has beaten two time.
The 25-year-old will meet MMA icon Anderson Silva on October 29 in an eight-round, 187-pound bout in Phoenix, Arizona as he seeks to silence those who doubt his fighting credentials.
In June 2021, Silva returned to the boxing ring after a 16-year absence for a sanctioned pro contest against unruly former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Chavez Jr is the son of Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
Remarkably, Silva beat Chavez Jr by a split decision in Mexico.
He then went on to knock out fellow aging MMA legend Tito Ortiz in another professional boxing bout in September 2021 before dominating an exhibition bout with Bruno Machado earlier this year, although no official results were given. for this competition.
Earlier this year, Paul, who has a long-running feud with UFC president Dana White over fight pay, announced plans to make his MMA debut at middleweight.
Ahead of his latest fight, the controversial crossover star says talks about his transition to a second sport are going well and an announcement about his fighting future will be made soon.
“I’m working with a big organization right now. A whole thing in MMA that also has to do with my fights and we will have an announcement soon,” Paul said on his podcast.
Paul says he plans to partner with MMA trainer Javier Mendez, who has coached Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold and Islam Makhachev.
“Javier Mendez said he would train me, so I’ll go to AKA [American Kickboxing Academy]. I will probably need about a year, a year and a half to make myself happy. I already know Jiu-Jitsu, he added.
“I want to be able to do everything there. At least check the kicks. I already know how to fight.
With Paul’s MMA debut still looking a long way off, he’s already planning his next boxing matches which could see him face UFC legend Nate Diaz and undefeated British prospect Tommy Fury.