Jake Paul is proving his commitment to MMA by both leading the new MVP promotion and stepping into the cage against elite opponents like Nate Diaz and Mike Perry — a move that showcases his passion for the sport.
Insiders are skeptical this is anything more than hype for the merger — neither Diaz nor Perry has publicly agreed, and some suspect Paul will use these names to boost ticket sales without actually fighting either one.
According to TMZ's August 1, 2026 report, Jake Paul told Babcock on Friday he wants an MMA fight next year against Nate Diaz or Mike Perry. He also confirmed plans to run the new MVP promotion following its merger with PFL.
Jake Paul is putting himself in the spotlight as both promoter and fighter — but whether either of these big-name matchups actually happens remains a huge question mark.
Jake Paul isn't just going to be running the new MVP MMA promotion after its merger with PFL — he's planning to fight, too. The Problem Child chopped it up with Babcock on Friday, and when asked about his plans for next year, he named Nate Diaz and Mike Perry as his two dream opponents in an MMA cage. TMZ reports that Paul is "gunning" for a fight against either of these combat sports veterans.
This bombshell comes hot on the heels of the massive merger between Most Valuable Promotions and PFL, creating one of the most powerful new entities in mixed martial arts. Paul will take on a leadership role in the promotion, but he's made it clear that he has no intention of staying out of competition himself. The idea of a promoter stepping into his own event is unprecedented at this scale — and you know The Problem Child loves breaking boundaries.
So why Diaz or Perry? Both are big-name opponents with massive followings, which would guarantee huge attention for any fight card. But stepping into the cage against either is a whole different ballgame than boxing, and Paul will need to prove he can handle the unique challenges of MMA — from grappling to submissions.
There's also the question of whether these fights will actually happen. Diaz has been selective about his matchups in recent years, and Perry might have other plans or contractual obligations. Plus, with Paul running the promotion, there could be perception issues — will fans see a conflict of interest?
But if anyone can make this work, it's The Problem Child, who thrives on controversy and knows how to sell a fight. For now, nothing is official — no contracts signed, no dates locked in. But you can bet the combat sports world will be buzzing about this for weeks to come.
If Paul follows through next year, it could be one of the biggest events in MMA history and a massive statement for his new promotion. Either way, The Problem Child knows exactly how to keep everyone talking.
