Jake Paul and former UFC welterweight contender Nate Diaz have reportedly agreed to fight in Dallas on Aug. 5.
The fight will reportedly be an eight round cruiserweight bout set at 185 pounds in American Airlines Arena, according to ESPN. This is the same weight class Paul fought against his previous opponent Tommy Fury which was ten rounds, however falls above the welterweight 170 pound maximum Nate Diaz is accustomed to.
Jake Paul and former UFC fighter Nate Diaz will face off in an eight-round boxing match on August 5 in Dallas, officials told @MarcRaimondi.
The bout will be contested at 185 pounds. pic.twitter.com/vALb90XVMA
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 12, 2023
Paul and Diaz have exchanged words in the past, in one interaction Diaz expressed that Paul would “get smoked” in a “real fight” after Paul was critical Diaz’s losses. (RELATED: Nate Diaz Tells Jake Paul He’d ‘Get Smoked’ In ‘A Real Fight’)
He sucks jake
You’d get smoked n a real fight tho
You can’t really fight
Boxing matches with wrestlers onlyLet that sink in
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) November 23, 2021
Paul is now 6-1 in his boxing career after losing via split-decision to Tommy Fury in his last fight, according to ESPN. He has fought his fair share of former UFC fighters, taking down Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley twice, and UFC legend Anderson Silva beating the first two by knockout.
“My last fight didn’t end the way I wanted,” Paul said in a statement, “My team wanted me to take an easy fight like KSI next, but that’s not how I am built. Nate Diaz is considered one of the most badass fighters of all time, but he and his team have been running their mouths too long.”
Diaz’s last fight was in Sep. 2022 against Tony Ferguson, in which he won in round four via submission. Diaz had reportedly retired after a 22-13 career in the UFC, but said in a statement, “Besides Canelo he’s the biggest thang in boxing. I’m here to conquer that.”
“I’m the King of combat sports and then I’m headed back to get my UFC belts.”
The fight will be distributed globally on DAZN with this fight and undercards, yet none have been announced as of now, according to ESPN.