Jake Paul Targets 2027 For MMA Debut

Jake Paul says he will make his MMA debut in 2027, though the YouTuber-turned-boxer has never trained in the sport.

Paul spoke to ESPN following the announcement that his Most Valuable Promotions merged with PFL to form a new MMA entity. The 29-year-old, who has boxed Mike Tyson, Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and Anthony Joshua in recent years, confirmed he still intends to cross over to the cage despite his previous PFL contract expiring in 2026 without a fight materializing.

Paul's MMA Training Status

Asked how boxing preparation compares to MMA camp work, Paul acknowledged he has zero experience. "I've never even done a single day of MMA training," he said, per ESPN. "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.'"

Paul said splitting time between boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling will be new territory for him. He added that he hopes to return to boxing later this year before attempting MMA next calendar year, according to the report.

The MVP-PFL merger combines roughly 400 fighters under one banner. Paul pointed to May's MVP MMA event on Netflix, which drew 17 million peak viewers for the Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano headliner, as proof the organization can compete with UFC. "We've already set records with our fights, most-watched MMA event in U.S. history," he told ESPN.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Jake Paul targets 2027 for MMA debut