It Is Time for Jake Paul to Fight in PFL

Paul should temporarily stray from boxing and make his MMA debut

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The time is now for Jake Paul in PFL

Jake Paul wants to be a world champion in boxing.

His goal is noble, but the social media sensation is taking a circuitous route. While he sharpens his skills, Paul is fighting obscure opponents. That does not mean they do not possess talent, but it is far different from fighting promising prospects.

In his last two bouts, Paul (9-1) defeated Andre August and Ryan Bourland. He defeated Bourland by TKO this past Saturday at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, decisively beating the journeyman boxer. What do these fighters have in common? Bourland (17-3) and August (10-2-1) are each 35 years old, and both are much closer to the end of their career than they are to their peak.

Courtesy Alex Subers_CELSIUS

Paul’s pursuit of boxing greatness will be accelerated once he starts defeating tougher opponents. Clearly, he has a plan in mind for success. Only 27, Paul is climbing his way up the totem pole, beginning with August and Bourland. In the meantime, however, he should fight higher profile opponents in the PFL.

Fourteen months ago, Paul signed with the PFL as the first fighter in the PPV Super Fights division. There was plenty of discussion, and rightfully so, about the signing, as well as a new 50/50 revenue partnership model for all PPV fights and how Paul was appointed as the Head of Fighter Advocacy. But at some point, fighters need to fight.

PFL is also dealing with a similar situation with Francis Ngannou. If Ngannou defeats Anthony Joshua this Friday, then he immediately becomes a top contender for the heavyweight title. That will significantly delay any potential MMA fight, perhaps even permanently.

Fortunately for PFL, the merger/acquisition of Bellator is critical to their success. The Bellator roster is full of exciting, emerging stars, and their fight cards will add a lot of excitement to the PFL.

Paul’s MMA debut would also be great for the PFL. He could even use it to build interest in his next boxing match. But, of course, a problem occurs if he loses. Paul has been very strategic in building his momentum, and after suffering his first defeat–against Tommy Fury in February of 2023–he has been even more selective in his opponents. While it briefly looked like the plan was to have Paul and Nate Diaz have a rematch in the PFL SmartCage, it quickly became clear that Diaz was not straying from the UFC.

In order for Paul to generate some real excitement about his boxing career, he needs to beat some top tier opponents–whether that is in the ring or the cage. To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man, right?

Moving forward, Paul would benefit greatly from beating someone with even a modicum of name value.

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Jairzinho Rozenstruik gives Shamil Gaziev his first defeat

Jairzinho Rozenstruik defeated Shamil Gaziev by TKO this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night, doing enough damage for the fight to be stopped between the fourth and fifth rounds.

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

This marked the first victory for Rozenstruik (14-5) since December of 2022. He had great success landing his jab, effectively blurring Gaziev’s vision, which is why referee Marc Goddard stopped the bout.

Even at the age of 34, Gaziev (12-1) had made a claim as a rising star in the division. But that notion was dashed on Saturday, with Rozenstruik carving out a spot for himself as a gatekeeper for the lower-tier of UFC’s top 15 heavyweights.

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Led by Sean O’Malley, UFC 299 fight week has arrived

For the first time since August, Sean O’Malley returns to the Octagon this Saturday.

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

O’Malley headlines UFC 299, defending his bantamweight title against Chito Vera–the only fighter to have defeated O’Malley (17-1, 1 NC). That bout from August of 2020 came under controversy as O’Malley was never the same following an opening-round knee injury, negating all his speed and mobility.

Due to the right knee injury, O’Malley was stretchered out of the Octagon. That injury likely led to a quicker referee stoppage than we otherwise would have seen, and he has been adamant that he will beat Vera (23-8-1) in a rematch.

O’Malley has the chance to become the UFC’s next brightest star. Attaining that goal will require highlight reel victories, beginning this Saturday against Vera.