Vitor Belfort is hoping to be Jake Paul’s first fight with the PFL.
The former UFC champion wants to get his hands on the YouTube star-turned-professional boxer now that Paul has signed a deal with the MMA organization. Paul’s deal not only has him promoting the PFL, but he’s also expected to compete in an MMA bout.
Belfort claimed Paul will make $10 million from the PFL deal and respects his business skills for getting the deal. However, that’s as far as his praise for Paul goes.
“People are just handing him money,” Belfort told MMA Junkie Radio. “I know he got like seven figures just to do this marketing deal. I know the guy is a marketing genius and a great YouTuber, but you guys know who’s the real fighter. He’s not a real fighter. He just talked his way there and people give him money. He’s smart. He’s a great businessman.”
Belfort wants to fight Paul in the PFL cage and meet him halfway in a modified boxing rule set. He thinks a clash between him and Paul would be a must-see attraction.
“They just signed the biggest talker of all time,” Belfort said. “People are fed up. That guy has been running away from me for so long. Now I’m going to be there. They better have that contract to sign because I’ll fight him all day long. … His manager, the guy Nikisa (Bidarian), he’s been sending me text messages. I can take my hat off to these guys – they’re printing money. (PFL founder) Don Davis gave that guy a lot of money. Now Don Davis, the MMA community wants PFL to put me and Jake Paul to box in the PFL cage.
“Right now, there’s no excuse for this not to happen, and I promise you guys this thing will not happen because Jake Paul got his $10 million in his pocket, and he’s walking away. And guess what? Now he keeps printing money and fighting whoever he wants. It’s a mess. We have to get this straight. That guy has to fight me and there’s no way out.”
Belfort will be a celebrity judge at the PFL’s Challenger Series event Friday, which streams on Fubo Sports. The MMA legend hopes to get the ball rolling on a matchup with Paul while there and plans to issue a challenge.
“Don’t miss Friday,” Belfort said. “I’m going to be challenging ‘Fake Paul.’ He better (respond). We’re going to see if PFL just gave him the check. He’s going to be walking away with a bag of money that they give him. I hope he can put his mouth where he signs, and you guys cannot miss that. That boy, he’s a good businessman. He’s printing money easy. Let’s give him a real fight.”
