YouTube star Jake Paul revealed he is talking to both Bellator and the Professional Fighters League promotion over making his MMA debut.
Paul is 5-0 as a professional boxer but has expressed interest in crossing over to the cage this year. 'The Problem Child' announced this week that his next fight will take place in August, but didn't reveal the opponent.
PFL boss Peter Murray admitted in January they would entertain talks with Paul whilst Bellator president Scott Coker said the promotion would " gladly " welcome the 25-year-old to fight for them. And Paul told TMZ of the two MMA promotions: "We're definitely talking to both of those entities and other MMA entities as well to see where it makes the most sense.
"Working on some pretty exciting things there, but there's a long list of people that I want to fight. It just depends on who's ready and who can sell the most pay-per-views because as of yet I haven't fought someone with as big of a name as me. I've done all the promotion."
Paul is still pushing for a fight with Conor McGregor after setting out a list of challenges to Dana White. The UFC boss shut down the matchup after claiming that Paul is too big for the former two-weight champion, but Paul doesn't agree with him.
"He keeps on doing interviews and he seems to be ducking the whole entire thing," Paul said. "He doesn't realise that Conor and I weigh the exact same right now. Conor's walking around at 190[lbs] and I'm walking around at 190[lbs]."
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Paul's UFC fighter pay campaign has received a mixed reaction from fighters, with some backing the idea whilst others accusing him of using it for personal gain. The YouTube star insisted he wants a crossover fight with McGregor to benefit other fighters on the roster.
"I'm willing to do a fight in MMA under the UFC," he added. This is about helping the fighters and making a change, that's what Conor has never done. He's always been selfish, I've said that if I win Dana has to increase the minimum fighter pay, if I lose they can take all the money and so be it.
"I know I can beat Conor. I know people think 'this kid's crazy' and yeah I am, no s*** that's why I've gotten this far. It's because I'm crazy and I believe in myself. Conor is on a downward spiral, his limbs are all broken."
