It remains to be seen if or when Jake Paul
will make his mixed martial arts debut, but there was one recent
rumor involving the YouTube personality turned boxer that generated
some discussion in the combat sports community.
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Last week, BJJ World published a report from justbleedmma.com that
Paul would be making his MMA debut against retired UFC welterweight
contender Demian Maia.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace, who works now as UFC Fight Pass Brazil
commentator, replied immediately.
“I´m totally in,” Maia wrote, while tagging Paul.
Carlos
Barreto, who is Maia’s broadcast partner, analyzed the report
on his Papo de Luta podcast.
“Demian is retired, but he keeps training hard. He is totally in
shape,” Barreto said. “I dont think it’s true just because I think
it would be a terrible choice for Jake. Demian would grab him fast,
get his back and submit him with a rear-naked choke. People must
understand that it’s one thing for an MMA fighter to face a boxer
in his discipline, but the opposite would be totally different.
“Jake is a smart guy. If he moves to MMA, he will probably face
another boxer first. The two worst choices for him would be a top
grappler, even being lighter like Demian, or a kickboxer that could
[impede him with calf kicks]… MMA is the union of all fighting
styles. That said, Demian would be a terrible choice for Jake’s MMA
debut, and I don’t think he would risk all that he has built in the
boxing world, with all his merit, making a wrong choice for his MMA
debut.”