Jake Paul has signed a multi-year contract with Professional Fighters League to compete in a new Box Office division named Super Fight.
The Cleveland native has divided opinions with his boxing career, calling out elite competitors like Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez whilst having a record that consists of a basketball player, a YouTuber, and three retired MMA fighters.
Still, there’s no denying his impact on the sport. He secured a deal with Showtime and ESPN to broadcast his fights – the latest of which was a decision victory over Brazilian martial artist, Anderson Silva – and has gained the attention of world champions.
His move to MMA, as reported by the New York Times, was expected given his constant calling out of Dana White, president of the UFC and one of the biggest names in the sport.
Paul has been a sideline advocate for fighter pay in the UFC, and will likely make an example of this new venture by compensating the athletes more generously.
Whilst not on a level with the UFC in terms of reach or scale, the PFL has drawn viewers through its partnership with ESPN and an intriguing tournament style of fighting.
Paul and his business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, are founders of the new division as well as owning equity shares of the PFL. The YouTuber turned fighter will has also been named ‘Head of Fighter Advocacy’ and will use his extensive network to promote the fights as well as take part in them.
“This is about changing MMA, disrupting, innovating, and creating the next big league.”
Paul’s boxing career isn’t over yet, though, It’s reported that he will still fight in the sport once this year alongside one MMA bout. Opponents and order of proceedings are yet to be announced.
It seems that 2023 will be the year that Paul fights in a combat sport against someone who is fully trained in that area – unless, in an ironic twist, he plans to call out boxers to move to the MMA sphere.