Jake Paul compared to CM Punk as retired UFC legend recommends 6-1 KO merchant as opponent for PFL MMA debut – EXCLUSIVE
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MMA legend and PFL analyst Dan Hardy has a big name in mind for Jake Paul’s targeted MMA debut.
Despite not making his professional MMA debut, as of this writing, Jake Paul has already been linked to some big names for his first appearance in the PFL SmartCage. Dan Hardy, a PFL analyst and the headman for PFL Europe’s operations, believes Paul could be on the verge of facing one of the league’s biggest stars.
Love him or hate him, Paul has become one of the faces of boxing during his brief, polarizing career in the ring. Several world champions have called out Paul for boxing matches, including Canelo Alvarez and heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois.
While Paul wrestled in high school and possesses boxing talent, Paul’s targeted first MMA appearance will be new waters for him to overcome. He’s sparingly begun to work on throwing kicks and grappling as he prepares to eventually make his first appearance in MMA.
Paul is a valuable name to face, regardless of who his opponent will be for his first MMA fight. MMA legends such as Anthony Pettis and Nate Diaz were linked to Paul’s debut opponent in recent months as speculation continues to run rampant. The often controversial former Bellator standout Dillon Danis has also called out Paul.
While an exact timeframe isn’t set for Paul’s MMA debut in PFL, he’s tentatively expected to get booked for his first fight by the end of 2025.
Paul’s insistence on fighting in MMA is similar to WWE icon CM Punk, whose UFC tenure was marred in skepticism and mockery by fans. For Hardy, Paul’s path into MMA is similar to Punk’s, and ‘The Problem Child’ is hoping for better results.
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Dan Hardy compares Jake Paul to CM Punk as he matchmakes MMA debut
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow‘s Jordan Ellis, Hardy explained how Paul’s incursion into MMA draws parallels to Punk’s UFC career.
“I was excited about the idea that Jake Paul would have a go at mixed martial arts. And I thought to myself he’s going to come to MMA with the same energy, we know he’s got a wrestling background as well…he’s in a weird situation isn’t he? Because who do you match up against?” Hardy questioned.
“We had a similar situation with CM Punk when he was going to fight in the UFC. Anybody that has six months of decent training is going to run through him, and I don’t know if I feel the same about Jake Paul,” Hardy continued on Paul. “I could find somebody that has 2, 3 MMA fights and put them up against Jake Paul, and they would probably make him look like he has no idea what he’s doing.”
Hardy then pinpointed one of the PFL’s biggest names for Paul’s MMA debut opponent.
“Cédric Doumbé had mentioned a few different people he would fight, and Jake Paul was on the list. Doumbé’s got a great kickboxing background, but he only has a few fights in MMA. And he’s a striker, so he’s not going to want to grapple with Jake Paul,” Hardy said. “Doumbé’s a bit older, but he’s definitely smaller. That could be a good one, even in boxing, I think Cédric Doumbé vs. Jake Paul would be a lot of fun.”
Paul is fresh off his latest boxing win over heavyweight great Mike Tyson just weeks ago. He’s targeting a return to the ring in 2025, and several intriguing names are in the mix to square off with him.
Doumbé, a former Glory Kickboxing superstar, defeated Bellator veteran Jaleel Willis at Bellator Champions Series: Paris in May. Before that, he suffered his first professional MMA loss controversially to Baissangour Chamsoudinov at PFL Europe 1.
Paul is hoping to surpass CM Punk’s forgettable MMA run and make a name for himself in the sport similar to what he’s accomplished in boxing. CM Punk went 0-1-1 in his MMA career, suffering a first-round loss to Mickey Gall and a no-contest against Mike Jackson.
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Jake Paul vs. Cedric Doumbé pitched for PFL showcase bout
Paul has defeated the likes of Diaz, Tyson, and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley during his boxing career. He suffered his first professional boxing defeat to Tommy Fury last year after being unbeaten through his first six bouts.
Jake and Logan Paul were accomplished wrestlers in high school before garnering fame and fortune as content creators. Logan is also close to potentially making his fighting return against one of the UFC’s all-time greats.
As 2024 draws to a close and 2025 quickly approaches, the clock is ticking for Paul to make his long-awaited MMA debut in PFL. A clash with Doumbé might be the high-profile booking Paul would want to make a quick splash in the cage.
