Bryan Battle has a message for Jake Paul: if the social media star finally steps into the MMA cage, Battle is ready to welcome him.
Paul has spent the past several years building his combat sports career through boxing. Now, with Most Valuable Promotions joining forces with the Professional Fighters League, his path toward an MMA debut appears more realistic. Battle is already interested in being the opponent.
Battle Wants Paul in the PFL
Battle is currently competing under the PFL banner and sees a potential fight with Paul as an opportunity worth pursuing.
The former Ultimate Fighter winner has competed against a wide range of opponents throughout his career, moving between welterweight and heavyweight. He made his PFL debut in March against Johnny Eblen but came up short on the scorecards.
Battle is scheduled to return Friday night at PFL Charlotte, where he will face Dalton Rosta in the main event.
Despite the setback against Eblen, Battle is looking ahead. If Paul eventually makes his MMA debut, the 31-year-old contender would gladly put his skills to the test against him.
“If I could fight Jake Paul next year, why not? It’s an easy payday for me.”
The PFL fighter also believes Paul has enough experience to make the matchup interesting.
“I know he can wrestle and strike, so we can put that to the test in MMA.”
Paul Has Already Targeted Nate Diaz
Paul has previously mentioned Nate Diaz as a potential opponent for his MMA debut.
The two fighters met in a boxing match in 2023, with Paul earning a unanimous decision. Diaz would have the advantage of his extensive MMA background if they met inside the cage, making a rematch a considerably different challenge.
For now, however, Paul’s MMA plans remain uncertain. The PFL-MVP merger has given Paul a stronger platform for an eventual transition into MMA. Whether he chooses to compete himself or focus on building the promotion remains to be seen. If Paul does decide to fight, Battle has already made his interest clear.