Jake Paul targeting Nate Diaz in MMA next as he calls UFC legend ‘worst puncher I’ve ever fought’

Jake Paul has said an MMA fight against Nate Diaz will be his No. 1 priority if the latter defeats Mike Perry.

Diaz returns to MMA under the banner of Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) against fellow ex-UFC star Perry on May 16.

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The fight takes place on the undercard of Gina Carano vs Ronda Rousey, with Francis Ngannou also featuring, and is being broadcast live on Netflix.

Diaz appeared on Theo Von’s podcast last week and explained that he still labels himself a ‘UFC fighter’ despite having signed with Paul’s MVP.

The 40-year-old caused quite the stir when he shared his feelings on his August 2023 boxing clash against Paul, saying he believes he won the fight and the judges got it wrong.

Paul appeared on the same platform this past weekend and had his chance to respond.

He said Diaz was ‘literally lying’ about not being an MVP fighter, but didn’t go in-depth on the subject, as he’s currently promoting the former’s Netflix clash.

Paul did, however, reveal that ‘The Stockton Slugger’ will be top of his list if he can get past Perry in May.

Jake Paul: Nate Diaz rematch is going to happen

“I want Nate in MMA, and I think it’s high on my list of priorities to do that,” Paul, who is eyeing a return to boxing later this year after breaking his jaw in a December fight against Anthony Joshua, said.

Explaining why he wants to run it back with Diaz in the cage, Paul continued: “It’s just the business side.

“He probably wants a certain amount of money to take the risk of losing to me.

“I just don’t give a f***, I have enough money.

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“That’s why these guys are actual ducks because you can’t hide behind money anymore.

“I think it’s going to happen, though, especially if he beats Perry.

“Then, me vs Nate is probably the No. 1 thing on the list above Tommy Fury, above Ngannou, above KSI.

“I think he will [beat Perry]. I think he’ll take him down and submit him.”

Paul later said on his fight with Diaz: “The judges said I won every single round, so if it was a close fight, that would be a different conversation.

 “This guy was easy work. Lightest puncher I’ve ever fought… Nate Diaz is the lightest and worst puncher I’ve ever fought.

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“He’s the toughest and he took the most damage, but in a sport that’s not something to brag about.”

Who else could Paul fight?

Paul suffered his first defeat in the ring at the hands of Fury in February 2023, and the American has always said it’s one he wants to get back.

He’s also been repeatedly linked to meet another Briton KSI in the ring, but the latter told talkSPORT at Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder on Saturday night that a fight against Paul is not something he wants anymore.

Paul has also toyed with the idea of fighting Ngannou in another David vs Goliath-type bout, considering he managed longer in the squared circle than ‘The Predator’ did against ‘AJ’.

Paul’s business partner and CEO of MVP, Nakisa Bidarian, was asked about the former’s return last week.

“His timeline of coming back is up to him,” Bidarian told talkSPORT.com.

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“But later this year, early next year.”

Paul may favour a return in boxing first before converting to MMA, but a meeting with Diaz seems like a serious frontrunner for his comeback fight.

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