Jake Paul’s anticipated MMA debut faces delay amid huge Mike Tyson boxing fight
JAKE PAUL’S switch from boxing to MMA faces delay amid his next boxing match against Mike Tyson.
The YouTuber-turned boxer faces heavyweight icon Tyson on July 20 in a controversial clash scrutinised over the 30-year age gap.
It will be Paul’s third bout in just seven months as he looks to improve on his 9-1 record.
His only defeat came in February 2023 via split-decision against celebrity rival Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
A month beforehand, Paul announced a deal with the Professional Fighters League to make his MMA debut.
His first bout in the cage was eyed for 2024 but the American has been forced to shelve his training to focus on boxing great Tyson.
PFL boss Donn Davis said: “The good news is, if people didn’t think Jake was serious about combat, he’s proven to be serious.
“He’s gotten better. He’s doubled down on boxing at the minute, there’s no question about it.
“There was a time when he might have done 50/50 and right now it looks like he might be 90/10 in boxing and MMA.
“So his development in MMA is not coming along as quickly as we thought. Will be fight for the PFL? One hundred per cent.
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“Will he move to MMA? One hundred per cent. Is the timing delayed? It is.”
Paul, 27, has fitted a fully-scaled PFL cage in his Puerto Rico training base to prepare for his MMA debut.
And he even offered Fury a stunning two-fight boxing and MMA deal worth over £15million to rematch his rival across two sports.
But the former Love Islander is recovering from hand surgery with Tyson, 57, instead returning after four years out the ring to fight Paul.
And the social media sensation is currently out in Colorado with the US Olympic boxing team training for his bout against Iron Mike.
