Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.
If Jake Paul is serious about crossing over into MMA, the PFL appears to be equally as serious in having him.
Last week, Sports Business Journal reported that the PFL was in “early talks” with Paul and his agent, Nakisa Bidarian, about having the YouTuber-turned-boxer join the promotion. Competing in MMA is a move that Paul has hinted at repeatedly in the past year.
On Thursday, PFL CEO Peter Murray confirmed to MMA Junkie that “there have been conversations” with Paul’s camp, and he elaborated on where things stand.
“Hey, listen, you know, if any major athlete that is considering and wants to get into MMA, of course the PFL is in the conversation,” Murray said. “What the PFL is about is offering fighters opportunities and fans access to great events. Jake has certainly got a large global following. He’s got a strong point of view. He’s a real athlete, and he’s established himself in boxing. And, you know, if he’s looking at MMA as that next opportunity in parallel, perhaps with boxing, of course we’re going to have a conversation.”
Paul, who has a massive social media following, could be just what the PFL needs after announcing last year that it would venture into hosting pay-per-views in 2022. He raised eyebrows last week when he posted a video of his “1st day training kicks.”
Paul is coming off a successful 2021 inside the ring where he went 3-0 at the expense of past MMA greats. Last April, he knocked out former Bellator and ONE Championship title holder Ben Askren under the Triller Fight Club banner. Paul followed that up with an August split decision win over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley before viciously knocking out Woodley in a rematch last month. Those two PPV headliners were on Showtime, which Paul is currently signed to.
In addition to feuding with Askren and Woodley, Paul has called out a plethora of top UFC stars, including Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, and current welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. And Paul has been the proverbial fly in the ointment by speaking out against UFC president Dana White and fighter pay.
Murray made it clear that he doesn’t necessarily support everything Paul has said and done in the past year, but he’s ready to do business with “The Problem Child” if they can work out a deal.
“It doesn’t mean the PFL supports his detailed manifesto,” Murray said. “It’s not about that. What we’re about is providing opportunities for fighters and great events for fans. Simple.”