The boxing match between Nate Diaz and Jake Paul is officially set. The duo will meet each other in the ring on August 5, 2023, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Paul, a social media influencer who began his professional boxing career in 2020, called out the former UFC star after he defeated another UFC legend, Anderson Silva, last October. “Nate Diaz, I know you don’t want that s–t,” he said.
In January, Paul challenged Diaz to a two-fight deal – a boxing match and an MMA bout. “If that’s not balls, then I don’t know what is,” Paul said. “Nate Diaz, I’m down to fight you in your own damn sport.”
This will be Diaz’s debut as a boxer. His record as an MMA fighter is 21-13. He won his last fight against Tony Ferguson last September during UFC 279.
“Besides Canelo, [Paul is] the biggest thang in boxing,” Diaz said in a statement. “I’m here to conquer that. I’m the King of combat sports and then I’m headed back to get my UFC belts. I f—ed up Conor [McGregor] for acting out and now here I am again, like a Superhero of the Real Fight game, the King of the Real Fight game.”
This will be Paul’s eighth fight as a pro. His record is 6-1. He lost his last fight by split decision in February to Tyson Fury.
“My last fight didn’t end the way I wanted, but the result was the best thing that could have happened to my professional boxing aspirations,” Paul said in a statement. “Now, the world thinks I am vulnerable, when all I am is more focused than ever. Nate Diaz is considered one of the most bad-ass fighters of all time, but he and his team have been running their mouths for too long.”