Nate Diaz not looking past Jake Paul, but UFC return likely

Nate Diaz fought out his UFC contract then immediately signed to box YouTube celebrity-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a 10-round boxing bout. The fight is a co-promotion between Diaz’s Real Fights Inc. and Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. It promises to be a big payday for both.

Diaz has been all-in on the fight, but readily admits that he hasn’t written off a UFC return following his foray into boxing. He told MMAFighting this week that he is likely going to take an MMA fight next, though he’s not thinking too much past this boxing bout.

“It will probably either be back in the UFC or do something like this in the MMA style or boxing, I don’t know yet,” Diaz said, though he seemed to be leaning more toward MMA. 

Jake Paul offered Nate Diaz $10. million for PFL MMA fight

Paul has thrown a $10 million offer to Diaz to fight him again after their boxing match, but with MMA rules under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner. Diaz doesn’t appear all that interested, despite the incredible amount of money dangling before him.

“I don’t fight for that organization. If we do something, we’re going to do something real,” he said, noting that if it weren’t promoted by UFC, it could be another co-promotion with his Real Fights, Inc.

There’s still quite a bit left for Diaz to do in MMA, particularly in the UFC. His storied rivalry with Conor McGregor has only intensified over the years. And considering that neither fighter is really poised to be an immediate championship contender, it’s probably one of the biggest fights on offer for either of them.

And, as noted, that appears to be the way Diaz is leaning, a return to MMA. 

“Yeah, probably,” he said, but stressed that he’s not forgetting about what’s in front of him. “I’m not thinking past this, right now.”

Though Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz has garnered a lot of attention, it hasn’t created the type mind-bending buzz as Conor McGregor’s dip into the boxing pool opposite Floyd Mayweather, Jr. So it will be interesting to see if Diaz’s stock inflates following the fight with Paul, particularly if he wins.

Even if the fight doesn’t pull massive numbers, if Diaz finally stops Paul’s boxing run over MMA fighters, he’s likely to be welcomed back to the UFC with open arms.

Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz trailer