Jake Paul has already defeated two former UFC champions. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/jakepaul
Jake Paul is ready to trade the boxing ring for the cage. The YouTuber, who gained notoriety in the fighting world with boxing, signed with the PFL in early 2023, but is still looking for the ideal opponent for his MMA debut. Dan Hardy, former UFC title challenger and head of operations for PFL Europe, supports the idea that veteran Cédric Doumbé should be the one to welcome the former Disney star to the new sport.
During an interview with Bloody Elbow, Hardy commented on Jake Paul 's potential MMA debut. The former fighter highlighted that, while it's difficult to find an opponent for the YouTuber, Doumbé would be a good option, given his strong kickboxing background and limited MMA experience, as well as his reluctance to take Paul to the ground.
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“I was excited about the idea of Jake Paul trying MMA. And I thought to myself that he would go into MMA with the same energy, we know he has a wrestling background too. He’s in a strange situation, isn’t he? Because who do you put him against? Cédric Doumbé mentioned a few different people he would fight, and Jake Paul was on the list. Doumbé has a great kickboxing background, but he only has a few MMA fights. And he’s a striker, so he won’t want to grapple with Jake Paul . Doumbé is a little older, but he’s definitely smaller. That could be a good fight, even in boxing. I think Cédric Doumbé vs. Jake Paul would be a lot of fun,” Hardy commented.
After a career in kickboxing, Cédric Doumbé made his MMA debut in 2021 and today boasts a record of six wins and only one loss in the sport. Jake Paul , on the other hand, has 11 wins in boxing, the most recent against Mike Tyson.
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