Can Jake Paul compete with Nate Diaz in MMA? What now for Amanda Serrano after impressive win? - ESPN
The Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz rivalry isn't over. That much was clear following Paul's unanimous decision win over Diaz in boxing. It just doesn't seem likely to continue inside the ring.
Paul, for months, has been calling for an MMA fight with Diaz after this one. He and his partner PFL have offered Diaz $10 million for that bout. Diaz had been non-committal about fighting Paul in the cage, mostly because he views Paul as an amateur when it comes to real fighting and that's not the kind of opponent he wants after two decades in MMA.
But Diaz's tune changed after the boxing loss to Paul on Saturday night in Dallas. Diaz told ESPN that he wants a rematch with Paul, and if it can't happen in boxing, then he is down with it happening in MMA.
Part of the storyline of this fight is Diaz's belief that Paul wouldn't be a factor in a «real fight.» He said as much as the ceremonial weigh-ins Friday. Then, Diaz put Paul in a guillotine choke in the 10th round of their boxing match and played to the crowd, kind of showing what would happen if the two fought in MMA.
There would be obstacles in the way of it happening. Paul's Real Fight Inc. would have to be a co-promoter of the event. Diaz does not seem interesting in signing with PFL, since he just left the UFC last year and still has designs on going back there. Real Fight Inc. president Zach Rosenfield said at the postfight news conference Saturday that the deal would not be for $10 million, implying that Diaz would demand more for that bout.
The Paul vs. Diaz boxing match was a success, there's no doubt about that. There was a lack buzz for a while, but that changed this week, courtesy of Diaz walking off an interview, some shenanigans at the prefight news conference and the