Jake Paul is still planning to trade his boxing gloves for MMA gloves. The YouTuber-turned-boxer says he is targeting 2027 for his long-awaited mixed martial arts debut after years of discussing a move to the cage.
Paul revealed his plans following the announcement that Most Valuable Promotions and the PFL are joining forces to create a new MMA organization.
Paul Eyes MMA Debut Following Boxing Comeback
Jake Paul has already assembled one of the most recognizable résumés in crossover boxing. Along the way, he has faced former UFC standouts Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz, as well as boxing icons Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua.
Paul’s most recent outing ended in disappointment, with Joshua handing him the second defeat of his professional boxing career last December. Rather than slowing down, Paul intends to step back into the boxing ring later this year. Once that fight is behind him, he plans to shift his focus toward making his long-awaited MMA debut.
“I’ve been trying to make it happen for a long time and it’s really just come down to negotiations behind the scenes.”
“I’m going to go come back hopefully later this year into boxing and then looking to do MMA in 2027.”
Paul first partnered with the PFL in 2023 after signing a multi-year agreement with the promotion. The deal included plans for him to compete in MMA, but his contract expired in 2026 without Paul ever making his debut.
Paul Has Never Trained MMA
While Paul has spent years preparing for boxing matches, he acknowledged that he has never actually completed an MMA training session.
“I’ve never even done a single day of MMA training. I have a wrestling background, I grew up Division-I Ohio wrestling in high school, but I’ve never actually said, ‘Hey, today we’re training MMA.’”
That learning curve will be significant for Paul. MMA requires fighters to combine multiple disciplines, from striking and wrestling to grappling and submissions. For now, Paul remains focused on his role with MVP MMA and the promotion’s partnership with the PFL.
Paul Believes MVP-PFL Can Challenge UFC
The merger gives MVP access to a deep roster of fighters while adding the infrastructure of the PFL. The first MVP MMA event in May featured the return of Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. The event drew a major audience on Netflix, with the main event peaking at 17 million viewers.
Paul believes the combined organization can become a serious competitor to the UFC.
“I think it’s a one-of-a-kind combat sports organization now with even more capital infused to continue to grow at the rate we have.”
“We’ve already set records with our fights, most-watched MMA event in U.S. history, most-watched boxing event, but now we have the PFL roster underneath us.”