Jake Paul targets Nate Diaz if he can get past Anderson Silva

Jake Paul wants to fight Nate Diaz if he beats Anderson Silva – but isn’t actually sure if he is a free agent or not.

It comes after the Stockton native fought out the last bout agreement on his UFC contract after submitting Tony Ferguson in September.

Diaz is reportedly exploring free agency having previously hinted at a potential switch to boxing.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, meanwhile, will take on Brazilian MMA legend Silva in Glendale on October 29.

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And if he can get past the former UFC middleweight champion, he knows exactly who he wants to face next.

“I would be surprised if he actually was a free agent,” he said during an interview with MMA Junkie. “I feel like Dana [White] has a way of tying these guys in, like hidden into the contract.

“That’s just how I feel about it, I don’t know if it’s true or not. But yeah, if he can actually become a free agent then I think that’s a cool fight. I would love to do that. I’m not overlooking Anderson Silva, but there’s beef between Nate Diaz and I.

“He’s a big name. He went out with a bang, had an electric performance, and people are saying, ‘Oh, you’re fighting these retired MMA fighters.’ No I’m not.

“Anderson never retired and Nate Diaz left winning and he’s one of the baddest men on the planet. So what about fighting an active UFC fighter? What now? So that’s why I think that fight is interesting.

“Hopefully I get through Anderson, and hopefully Nate Diaz can get out of his contract and we’ll see if that makes sense.”

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However, if it doesn’t happen next for whatever reason,