UFC president Dana White has claimed Jake Paul's boxing fight with Nate Diaz is "not his thing".
Paul recently suffered his first boxing loss since making the move from his career as a YouTube star, having stepped up and fallen short by split decision against professional boxer Tommy Fury. It was initially expected 'The Problem Child' would seek immediate revenge in a sequel against Fury having access to a contracted clause, but it failed to materialise.
Then to many fans' surprise, Paul announced he would instead face ex-UFC star Diaz in a comeback fight on August 5 in Dallas. It will be the Stockton native's squared circle debut after his contract with White's promotion expired, as he continues to fight at 38-years-old.
And UFC kingpin White believes Paul has now turned back to fighting ex-MMA stars having failed in his quest to beat Tommy Fury and crack professional boxing. "I don't know man," White responded in an interview with Jim Rome when asked about Paul's upcoming showdown with Diaz. "I've been trying not to - I like Nate. Nate and I have a good relationship.
"It's just, listen, Jake Paul went out and fought a real boxer who was his age, his weight, and he lost. So, as soon as he loses, he goes back to a forty year old MMA fighter, who's smaller than him, not his weight. Listen, it's just one of those fights that - I know that some people are into this. It's just not what I'm into. It's not my thing."
Paul has been very critical of White's approach to the running of the UFC, particularly with regards to fighter pay and healthcare. The YouTube star has regularly campaigned against him, with the pair trading verbal barbs online although White has refused to be drawn into the feud again entirely.
Who will win their boxing fight - Jake Paul or Nate Diaz? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
Diaz was previously frustrated while signed to the final fight of his UFC deal as he wanted to pursue a boxing fight with bitter rival Paul while tied down. However he will now get his opportunity to show his skills in the squared circle, where it remains unclear if his powerful striking will translate.
And Paul's fellow rival Jorge Masvidal instead believes Diaz will come out on top despite his size and age difference to the content creator. "It’s just the time of it. Jake’s obviously a lot younger than Nate. If Nate’s in his prime, I think he smokes Jake. But Nate’s been out of it for a while. I don’t know what kind of shape his lifestyle is like outside a serious training camp," he told MMAJunkie.
"He hasn’t been in a training camp in a while, so I don’t know. I think the odds are a lot on him. Jake’s been competing and Jake’s naturally a lot bigger, but all that being said, I think Nate just finds a way to tough-guy it out and just beat up Jake and break him down. I think Jake will run a lot.”
