JAKE PAUL has been tipped to surpass Brock Lesnar for the “largest MMA debut of all time”.
The YouTube sensation has dedicated the last five years of his life to becoming a professional boxer and currently has a record of 9-1.
But last year he signed to the Professional Fighters League to make his anticipated MMA debut.
PFL CEO Peter Murray insisted Paul’s first MMA fight – set for 2025 – will be the biggest debut bout of all time to top Lesnar’s in 2007.
Murray told SunSport: “When Jake Paul debuts in MMA and the possibility next year it will be the largest MMA debut ever, a massive global mega event.
“And you’ve heard directly from Jake, he’s taking the sport seriously while he continues to compete at the highest level in boxing and blows people’s minds.
READ MORE IN MMA
“He’s doing it his way which is incredible to watch and he really is as a point of view as a fighters’ first, not only thinking about his own career but other careers within his camp and world.
“He’s supportive of the PFL’s fighters first mission but when he debuts it will be against a big name in MMA and there are a number of athletes who are putting their names out there.
“There’s a list and it’s growing. So we will be sharing more details at the appropriate time.”
Lesnar made his UFC debut only a year after first crossing over to the cage from the WWE.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
He won the UFC heavyweight title in 2008 following just four fights but retired in 2011 after losing to Alistair Overeem.
Lesnar, 46, did return in 2016 to beat Mark Hunt but it was later overturned to a no-contest amid a doping scandal.
Paul, 27, meanwhile is set to make his boxing return against Mike Tyson, 57, but the July 20 date has been postponed after the boxing legend suffered a health scare.
It also threatens to delay Paul’s debut in MMA and the PFL.
PFL already have women’s boxing champs Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall and Amanda Serrano on their books.
Shields is 2-1 in MMA while Serrano is yet to debut for the PFL but does already have two wins and one draw in the cage.
Marshall meanwhile debuts this Saturday in Newcastle in a PFL Europe bout against Mirela Vargas.
The boxing world champion is being lined up for a MMA rematch after losing to Shields in their undisputed title fight in 2022.
And Murray hopes the trio of women’s boxing stars signed to their roster will encourage more to make the same switch.
He said: “We have Amanda Serrano, champion and she’s an incredible boxer obviously, highest level and she has history in MMA.
“We signed her and we’re looking forward to Amanda getting back in the cage.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“But again, with Claressa, Savannah, Amanda, the greatest women in boxing today turning to MMA to the PFL to take on this sport, I think it’s incredibly bold and very exciting to watch.
“I think these women are going to pave the way for men in combat sports, in particular boxers, to come into MMA.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
