Jake Paul has put Nate Diaz on the prime 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 battle. Hardy believes Diaz would face extra threat in a cage rematch than many followers anticipate.
Paul mentioned he needs the Diaz battle “very, very dangerous” 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 life like.
Dan Hardy Questions Nate Diaz Matchup With Jake Paul in MMA
The proposed battle would flip the script from their August 2023 boxing match in Dallas. Jake Paul received that 10-round contest by unanimous determination, scoring playing cards of 97-92, 98-91 and 98-91 after dropping Diaz within the fifth spherical. Diaz absorbed heavy moments, rallied by way of the later phases and reached the ultimate bell in his skilled boxing debut.
Paul had known as for an MMA battle instantly after that win, whereas Diaz indicated he would take into account it if his Actual Struggle 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 known as Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz in boxing, mentioned he doubts Diaz would conform to the return bout whatever the supply.
“I don’t suppose for any amount of cash Nate goes to take that battle,” Hardy mentioned. “Name me loopy. It’s a loseable battle for Nate Diaz.”
Hardy based mostly a lot of that view on what he noticed at ringside in Dallas. “Not a single factor Nate threw at Jake after they boxed damage him,” Hardy mentioned, talking with Mike Bohn. “Jake had energy and pace, and Nate didn’t have any.”
Nate has made his title by way of tempo, stress and an energetic submission sport throughout knowledgeable MMA profession that started in 2004. Hardy mentioned the Diaz brothers’ components usually 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 in opposition to Jake Paul. “I’m undecided Nate has the boxing energy to have the ability to put Jake right into a place the place he would degree change right into a floor sport,” Hardy mentioned. “With the injury Nate has now, I’m undecided he would be capable to face 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, supplied Perry will get previous Dillon Danis of their upcoming battle. He described Perry as a keen striker who wouldn’t power Paul right into a grappling-heavy contest, whereas cautioning that Paul ought to be matched close to middleweight or mild heavyweight reasonably than in opposition to somebody like Francis Ngannou.
For now, Paul has made his choice clear: “Yeah, Nate Diaz. Mike Perry can be nice.” Whether or not Diaz sees the MMA rematch as an opportunity to settle outdated enterprise, or an pointless gamble after their boxing consequence, is the query hanging over MVP MMA’s first main crossover battle.
