Jake Paul beat Nate Diaz by unanimous decision Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Diaz, the MMA star who was making his pro boxing debut, was the clear favorite of the announced sellout crowd. But the cheers had little impact on the outcome in the 10-round showdown between the 26-year-old Paul and 38-year-old Diaz.
The judges scored it 97-92, 98-91 and 98-91.
Paul, who knocked Diaz down in the fifth round, said he was sure he’d won the fight on the judges’ cards and thought Diaz won only one round. "Although he’s a warrior, you know? I had him hurt in the first round, he kept on coming and no one’s taken that much damage," Paul said.
Paul proved to be not only younger but stronger — and a more skilled boxer.
“He’s real tough,’’ Paul said of Diaz. “That’s what he’s known for. But tough in this sport doesn’t work.”
With the victory, Paul improved to 7-1 while bouncing back from his first defeat — a loss to Tommy Fury by split decision in February.
Paul also extended his string of victories over MMA fighters. Previously, he beat Ben Askren with a first-round knockout, beat Tyron Woodley by decision and by sixth-round knockout and beat Anderson Silva by unanimous decision.
Diaz now is expected to return to the UFC, potentially for a trilogy fight against Conor McGregor.
“It’s tough. I wish I could’ve done better and did better things. …But it’s all good," Diaz said.
Jake Paul, Nate Diaz eye rematch ... in MMA?
Paul and Diaz appear headed for a rematch – in the cage, not the boxing ring.
After the fight, Paul renewed his $10 million offer to fight Diaz, one of the UFC's most popular fighters, in mixed martial arts.
“Let’s run it back in MMA,’’ Paul said during an in-ring interview. “Make it fair. I won one, now it’s your chance in your home territory. MMA, let’s do it.’’
Minutes later, Diaz was asked if he wanted to do more boxing or MMA.
“I’ll do either MMA or boxing,’’ he said. “MMA sounds good. (Paul) won one and I need to get one back. So I’m down with that.’’
Paul said the $10 million would come from the Professional Fighters League but offered no details about how the payout would work.
Paul also said he’s be interested in a rematch with Tommy Fury, who beat Paul by split decision and gave the YouTube celebrity his first loss as a pro boxer. Since then, Paul has changed trainers and strength and conditioning coaches.
“I’m going to try to get that back,’’ he said of the loss to Fury. “With this new team I’m a different fighter.’’
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