Jake Paul has put Nate Diaz on the high of his MMA want record after MVP’s merger with the PFL, however Dan Hardy is much from satisfied the Stockton veteran will settle for the combat. Hardy believes Diaz would face extra danger in a cage rematch than many followers count on.
Paul mentioned he desires the Diaz combat “very, very unhealthy” as he prepares for an MMA debut beneath the MVP MMA banner, with Mike Perry additionally on his record. The 29-year-old mentioned discussions with Diaz have continued for a while, however the brand new merger has made the potential matchup really feel extra reasonable.
Dan Hardy Questions Nate Diaz Matchup With Jake Paul in MMA
The proposed combat would flip the script from their August 2023 boxing match in Dallas. Jake Paul gained that 10-round contest by unanimous choice, scoring playing cards of 97-92, 98-91 and 98-91 after dropping Diaz within the fifth spherical. Diaz absorbed heavy moments, rallied by the later phases and reached the ultimate bell in his skilled boxing debut.
Paul had referred to as for an MMA combat instantly after that win, whereas Diaz indicated he would take into account it if his Actual Combat Inc. promotion was concerned. Three years later, Paul now has a platform constructed for the crossover: MVP and PFL are set to mix, with the PFL model anticipated to transition into MVP MMA in 2027.
Hardy, the previous UFC welterweight contender and longtime MMA analyst who referred to as Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz in boxing, mentioned he doubts Diaz would comply with the return bout whatever the supply.
“I don’t suppose for any amount of cash Nate goes to take that combat,” Hardy mentioned. “Name me loopy. It’s a loseable combat for Nate Diaz.”
Hardy primarily based a lot of that view on what he noticed at ringside in Dallas. “Not a single factor Nate threw at Jake once they boxed harm him,” Hardy mentioned, talking with Mike Bohn. “Jake had energy and velocity, and Nate didn’t have any.”
Nate has made his title by tempo, stress and an lively submission recreation throughout an expert MMA profession that started in 2004. Hardy mentioned the Diaz brothers’ formulation typically concerned overwhelming opponents with strikes till they folded or modified ranges into grappling exchanges.
However Hardy questioned whether or not Diaz may create that sequence towards Jake Paul. “I’m unsure Nate has the boxing energy to have the ability to put Jake right into a place the place he would stage change right into a floor recreation,” Hardy mentioned. “With the harm Nate has now, I’m unsure he would have the ability to stand up to too many punches from Jake with MMA gloves on.”
Hardy instructed Mike Perry could also be a extra becoming MMA debut opponent for Paul, offered Perry will get previous Dillon Danis of their upcoming combat. He described Perry as a keen striker who wouldn’t drive Paul right into a grappling-heavy contest, whereas cautioning that Paul ought to be matched close to middleweight or mild heavyweight quite than towards somebody like Francis Ngannou.
For now, Paul has made his choice clear: “Yeah, Nate Diaz. Mike Perry could be nice.” Whether or not Diaz sees the MMA rematch as an opportunity to settle outdated enterprise, or an pointless gamble after their boxing outcome, is the query hanging over MVP MMA’s first main crossover combat.
