Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are potentially gearing up for another showdown, but this time, the battleground might shift to the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Their last encounter, a boxing match held in February, saw Fury clinch victory with a split decision. However, Paul has been vocal about seeking a rematch ever since, with reports suggesting his team has extended an intriguing proposition to Fury for a two-fight rematch deal, albeit with a twist.
Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s business partner and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, shed light on the proposal. Under this plan, Fury would engage in a two-fight deal, with the rematch remaining in the realm of boxing.
However, should Paul emerge victorious, thereby equalizing their score at 1-1, the duo would enter a trilogy bout in MMA under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner.
“Jake has conveyed to Tommy his willingness to meet him in the boxing ring, and if Jake secures the win, he’s prepared to step into the SmartCage in PFL alongside Tommy, offering another substantial payday, nearing eight figures,” Bidarian revealed to ESPN. “This presents an avenue where the combined earnings for reentering the Jake Paul competition could amount to close to $20 million in guaranteed revenue.”
The PFL appears supportive of this unique trajectory, with Donn Davis, speaking to ESPN, confirming that Fury stands to earn between $15 million and $20 million for both fights, an unprecedented figure in Fury’s fighting career.
As of now, Fury has yet to respond to Paul’s offer, and indications suggest he might not be overly inclined towards an MMA bout. Following his victory over Paul, Fury secured a decision win against KSI.
Meanwhile, Paul’s trajectory saw victories over Nate Diaz and Andre August, with his next bout slated against another professional boxer, Ryan Bourland, on March 2, as Paul continues to pursue his ambition of becoming a world champion in boxing, a path he argues Fury cannot match.
“We’re all aware that individuals tend to inflate their price tags if they’re not genuinely interested in a fight and hide behind that,” Paul remarked regarding Fury’s stance. “So, I believe that’s where things currently stand. Nevertheless, I am committed to a different objective—to ascend to the status of world champion. Every avenue for Tommy ultimately leads to me. I possess the liberty to chart my course, and my goal is to claim the world championship. That’s the journey I’m on.”
