A former UFC champion has offered to be Jake Paul’s coach for his mixed martial arts debut, and the fighter actually has a history with two of “Problem Child’s” potential opponents.
Jake Paul stunned the combat sports world on Thursday when he announced an agreement to make his MMA debut this year in the Professional Fighters League, and that he would be the jewel of their pay-per-view-only Super Fight division.
Yet, that eventual first step into the PFL’s smart cage is unlikely for the first two quarters of 2023. That’s because the 25-year-old is hoping to secure a boxing fight first with UFC great, and combat sports free agent Nate Diaz. Which he revealed this week could be followed by a rematch in the PFL.
Also Read: Jake Paul next fight – 3 opponent options for PFL debut
Well, be it against Diaz or a different fighter on the PFL MMA roster, a recent UFC lightweight champion has publicly offered “Problem Child” his services as a coach, and it makes some sense considering Paul’s possible opponents in cage fighting.
Tony Ferguson offers to be Jake Paul’s coach for PFL MMA debut
Following the news of Paul’s agreement with the PFL, one-time interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson took to his Twitter account to let the Ohio native know that if he is in need of a coach, he knows a guy.
- Jake Paul record: 6-0 (4 knockouts)
“El Cucuy” doesn’t have much of a resume as an MMA coach, however, he would be an interesting choice nonetheless. Along with Nate Diaz as a possible opponent, former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis — a current member of the PFL roster — also suggested being Paul’s first foe in cage fighting this week.
Ferguson has faced both men during his 12-year run in the UFC. He scored a second-round technical knockout victory over Pettis at UFC 229 in 2018 and suffered a submission loss last year in Diaz’s UFC swan song.
In talking about an eventual jump to MMA in the past, Jake Paul has suggested Javier Mendez and the team of elite coaches at American Kickboxing Academy would be a preferred option for his training. At this point, all options are possible for the former high-school wrestler and undefeated boxer.