Jake Paul plans to train with Khabib Nurmagomedov and launch MMA career

YouTube star Paul is looking to go 5-0 as a professional boxer this weekend when he re-matches ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, and has promised to make the move to MMA in the next few years

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Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley face off ahead of rematch

Jake Paul is plotting a switch to the cage once he has established himself as a top professional boxer.

The YouTube star made his debut as a white-collar fighter just over three years ago, and has gone on to become one of the most divisive professionals in the sport.

And he has promised to do the same thing in the mixed martial arts arena, having made such notable strides in boxing within two years.

But first, he will need to beat ex-UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley for a second time in the ring on Saturday night.

“For sure, 100 per cent I think it could happen,” Paul responded when asked about a possible MMA fight at their pre-fight press conference.

“Why not? If I can learn how to box in two years and beat people like [Woodley], then why can’t I learn how to do MMA in two years and beat people like him?

“That’s my answer, it will happen at some point, 100 per cent.

Woodley insisted, however, that Paul was being fanciful in his prediction, and vowed to brutalise him in the cage should he ever make the switch.

The YouTube star has trained with the likes of AJ Agazarm in the past, but in the brief sparring footage available looked out of his depth in the sport.

“You’re a liar,” Woodley joked as Paul was discussing his future. “Let’s do MMA then, after we do the boxing I can elbow you in the head and knee you in the nugget. He’s cap [lying].”

And in a later interview, Paul explained that he will be trained by top coach Javier Mendez, who is known for coaching Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The legendary UFC lightweight champion was cornered by Mendez for most of his career as he accrued a flawless 29-0 record that includes wins over Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

“For sure I will,” Paul added in a media scrum. “People seem to forget that I was a state wrestler, division one in Ohio.

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“That’s one of the hardest wrestling states and I don’t see why if I can do boxing at this high of a level that I couldn’t do MMA at this high of a level.

“I’m going to go and get coached up by Javier Mendes, Team Khabib and that’s that.

“They’re down, 100 per cent – I’ve got to go 10-0 or 12-0 in boxing first and then I’ll hit that MMA fight.”

Woodley is also planning to return to the cage next year, and has vowed to compete four times in four different disciplines.

He was set to box in the early part of 2022, but instead opted to step in for Tommy Fury on this weekend’s pay-per-view show in Florida.

And he will box again before competing in Triller’s new Triad Combat crossover, as well as a return to MMA and a fourth as-yet unnamed discipline.