PFL COO considers French star as Jake Paul's first MMA opponent

Jake Paul has already defeated two former UFC champions. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/jakepaul

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Jake Paul is ready to trade the ring for the cage. The YouTuber, who rose to prominence 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, a former UFC title challenger and head of operations for PFL Europe, supports the idea that veteran Cédric Doumbé be the one to welcome the former Disney star to the new sport.

During an interview with Bloody Elbow, Hardy commented on the possible debut of Jake Paul in MMA. The former fighter highlighted that, although it is difficult to find an opponent for the YouTuber, Doumbé would be a good option, since the Frenchman has a strong history in kickboxing and few fights in MMA, in addition to not risking fighting on the ground with Paul.

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“I was excited about the idea of Jake Paul try MMA. And I thought to myself that he would go into MMA with the same energy, we know he has a wrestling background as well. He's in a strange situation, isn't he? Because who do you put him against? Cédric Doumbé mentioned a few different people that he would fight, and Jake Paul was on the list. Doumbé has a great kickboxing record, but he only has a few MMA fights under his belt. And he's a striker, so you don't want to get into a fight with Jake Paul. Doumbé is a little older, but he's definitely smaller. This could be a good fight, even in boxing. I think Cédric Doumbé vs. Jake Paul It would be a lot of fun,” Hardy commented.

After making a career in kickboxing, Cédric Doumbé made his MMA debut in 2021 and today has a record of six wins and just one loss in the sport. Jake Paul, in turn, has 11 victories in boxing, being the latest against Mike Tyson.