Jake Paul has suggested that defeat to Tommy Fury has only whetted his appetite ahead of a showdown with UFC star Nate Diaz.
The American YouTuber took a six-fight unbeaten record into his clash with Fury back in February and became the first man to drop the younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
However, despite a split-decision verdict, Fury deserved to edge an intriguing contest on points, leaving Paul to contemplate his next move in the sport.
Instead of a defeat hindering his ability to make pay-per-view fights, the 26-year-old has landed a more notable showdown with Diaz, who has a history of high-profile fights with UFC.
© Reuters
The 38-year-old last fought in that environment back in September, choking out another legendary UFC figure in Tony Ferguson in what was rated as the performance of the night.
This will be Diaz's first experience of the squared circle, however, and Paul says that going toe-to-toe with Diaz was always the plan after fighting Fury.
Speaking at a press conference, Paul said: "Nate Diaz was always the plan after Tommy. That was what I said. Even in the build-up to Tommy, I was like it's Nate Diaz after Tommy Fury. So that was always the plan.
"This is a big fight. This is a fight that I've wanted for a long time. [Nate] got out of his UFC contract and this is probably the biggest fight of the year, only topping me versus Tommy.
An intense staredown between @JakePaul and @NateDiaz 💥#PaulDiaz pic.twitter.com/oL5rhWfVd5
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 9, 2023
"I want to make big events, big fights happen and strike while the iron's hot. He was a free agent. Let's run it. Make it happen. Settle the s**t talk. I'm ready for war. I'm excited to be here."
Later in the media briefing, Paul added: "I'm filled with vengeance, ambition, hunger, and drive more than ever before. I have a lot to prove, two chips on each shoulder, and it's do-or-die for me. Truly, this fight is do-or-die.
"I have to leave it all on the line and I think it's the same for Nate Diaz. You know, he's leaving the UFC on a win. He wants to come into this game, make a bunch of money, knock out the YouTuber kid then go back and finish his legacy off. And that's why this is such an amazing fight. But I just lost, and if he beats me, then where does that leave me?"
On the undercard, Amanda Serrano, who is represented by Paul's MVP Promotions, will put her world featherweight titles on the line against Heather Hardy.
Darren Plant
