Nate
Diaz’s first venture since leaving the UFC figures to draw
plenty of eyes.
Most Valuable Promotions and Real Fight Inc., announced on
Wednesday that Diaz will square off against Jake Paul in
a boxing match on Aug. 5 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
The bout will be contested at 185 pounds over eight rounds, with
both athletes wearing 10-ounce gloves, according to a release. The
event will air live on pay-per-view via DAZN as well as all major
cable and satellite providers.
Diaz ended his Octagon tenure last September following a
fourth-round submission victory against Tony
Ferguson at UFC 279. That fulfilled Diaz’s contract with the
Las Vegas-based promotion. Diaz emerged as one of the UFC’s biggest
stars over the course of promotional tenure that began in 2007
after he won “The Ultimate Fighter 5.” He compiled a 16-11 mark in
the Octagon and reached the pinnacle of his star power when he
submitted McGregor at UFC 196.
“Besides ‘Canelo’ [Alvarez] he’s the biggest thang in boxing,” Diaz
said in a release. “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——d
up Conor for acting out and now here I am again, like a Super Hero
of the Real Fight game, the King of the Real Fight game.”
Paul is coming off the first loss of his boxing career, a
split-decision setback to Tommy Fury this past February. The social
media personality owns a 6-1 mark in professional boxing, with
notable wins over MMA fighters such as Anderson
Silva, Tyron
Woodley (twice) and Ben
Askren.
“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. “Now, the world thinks I am vulnerable,
when all I am is more focused than ever. My team wanted me to take
an easy fight like KSI next, but that’s not how I am built.
Nate
Diaz is considered one of the most badass fighters of all time,
but he and his team have been running their mouths for too
long.
“People tell me Nate has been training with Andre Ward for years.
That he has insane stamina. That he refuses to back down. Good for
f—-ing Nate. I haven’t forgotten about the slap backstage in
Arizona, and on Aug. 5. a Problem Child is going to piece up and
knock out the Stockton G.”