Jake Paul Reportedly Targeting MMA Debut in 2025

There is no denying that Jake Paul has changed fighting in a major way, as he continues to fight bigger talent in each fight. The YouTube star-turned-professional boxer began his ascent in the boxing game by first taking on English YouTuber Deji Olatunj in 2018. A mere two years later, he would make his professional debut against YouTuber AnEsonGib.

Read more: Jake Paul on Upcoming Mike Perry Fight: ‘It’s a Major Risk’

Paul then went on a run of boxing wins between 2020 and 2024 against former UFC fighters like Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice), Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. He defeated them all. Paul’s only professional loss is against boxer Tommy Fury.

Many have criticized Paul for fighting MMA fighters who have retired or are no longer with the UFC promotion and are not traditional boxers. Paul has gone so far as to state he could also fight in MMA and be just as successful as he has been in boxing. Fans and critics have long called out Paul for this, but it appears the famed boxer is set to make his debut soon.

Paul’s manager, Nakisa Bidarian, joined “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani recently, where he divulged what his client plans to do in terms of his MMA debut.

When Helwani asked Bidarian if “there is a chance” that Paul could finally fight in MMA, Bidarian stated, “I think if the fight makes sense, that is absolutely something that Jake would like to do. Right, when I say ‘makes sense’ I mean let’s see how this one does, how it performs, and if there is an appetite for that, Jake has said he would 100% be down to do MMA with Mike Perry.”

Paul is currently slated to fight former UFC and current BKFC phenom Mike Perry on July 20. The impromptu boxing match replaces the fight that would have been between Paul and boxing legend Mike Tyson, but Tyson suffered a medical scare and could not train for a brief period, resulting in their match being postponed.

Perry stepping in on short notice to fight Paul has been one of the most talked about storylines in sports, especially considering that Perry is one of the most vicious strikers in MMA. He currently holds a 5-0 undefeated record in the BKFC, previously defeating former UFC fighters like Thiago Alves, Eddie Alvarez, and Luke Rockhold.

Paul and Perry are also entertaining the idea of facing off against one another in MMA following their boxing match in July, according to Bidarian.

Interestingly, Paul announced in 2023 that he would transition into MMA, but his debut has yet to happen. Bidarian indicated that “everything needs to align” for Paul’s debut to transpire, but they are aiming for an MMA debut sometime in 2025.

Paul is still slated to fight Perry on July 20 and to follow that up with the rescheduled fight with Tyson on Nov. 15. Based on how hurt he may or may not get in both fights, the fighting commission could make him sit for an extended period. Debuting in MMA in 2025 at some point does sound like a safe bet.