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| Jake Paul and Nate Diaz face off during a weigh-in before their fight at American Airlines Center on Aug. 4, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) |
Nate Diaz's storied journey in the realm of UFC will forever be intertwined with Conor McGregor. However, his pugilistic aspirations are set to carve a new path, now connected to Jake Paul.
At 38 years old, Diaz is poised to step into the boxing ring professionally for the first time. The venue for this significant debut is the American Airlines Center in Dallas. His opponent? The 26-year-old Paul, who initially rose to prominence during his teenage years as a social media sensation, specializing in comedic prank videos.
While Diaz was diligently building a dedicated fan base through his prowess in mixed martial arts, his nonchalant demeanor, and his unwavering readiness for combat, Paul was in the process of establishing his identity as a prankster. Transitioning his focus to the sport of boxing, Paul swiftly made a notable impact on the world of combat sports. This was exemplified by his participation in the undercard of his brother Logan Paul's exhibition bout against KSI. This particular event could arguably be seen as the inception of what has become known as "influencer boxing."
Alan Sanchez emerges victorious against Angel Beltran in the opening bout of the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz main card
The opening contest of the main card delivered an explosive start. Alan Sanchez emerged victorious over Angel Beltran in a grueling encounter that lasted the entire distance, resulting in both fighters sustaining significant damage. The judges' scorecards reflected a unanimous decision in favor of Sanchez, with scores of 77-75, 78-74, and 79-73.
During the final round, Sanchez showcased his power with a series of impactful strikes. Despite the onslaught, Beltran managed to endure until the final bell. However, Beltran's impressive eight-fight winning streak came to a halt as his record now stands at 17-2. On the other hand, Sanchez extended his own winning streak to three matches, improving his record to 23-5-1.
Throughout the bout, Sanchez connected with 149 significant punches compared to Beltran's tally of 130.
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| Nate Diaz, who went 21-13 in his MMA career, makes his professional boxing debut Saturday against Jake Paul. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) |
Who will the judges be for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz?
Judging the Paul-Diaz fight will be a panel consisting of David Sutherland, David Iacobucci, and Chris Migliore.
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| In his first fight against a pro boxer, Jake Paul lost a split decision to Tommy Fury on Feb. 26, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) |
The upcoming challenge for Diaz will be substantial. In the realm of MMA, Diaz gained recognition for his versatile skill set, notably his exceptional cardio. Unlike Woodley and Askren, Diaz displayed a remarkable aptitude for striking. Despite being 38 years old, he still retains considerable power in his punches, a quality that the aging Silva lacked.
Diaz boasts years of experience in boxing, and this is precisely why his upcoming bout on Saturday poses the most formidable test for Paul yet.
However, the spotlight is firmly on Diaz in this scenario. A significant portion of the fighting fanbase, while begrudgingly acknowledging Paul's accomplishments as a boxer and entrepreneur, eagerly anticipates his defeat and knockout. They hope to see him exposed as someone who cannot hold his own against a genuine fighter."
Who will the referee be for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz?
Mark Calo-oy is appointed as the referee for the Paul-Diaz bout.
Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz pay-per-view card begins
The event is currently taking place in Dallas. Angel Beltran and Alan Sanchez have entered the ring and are preparing for an eight-round match.
View the full fight card below:
Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
Amanda Serrano vs. Heather Hardy
Shadasia Green vs. Olivia Curry
Ashton Sylve vs. William Silva
Alan Sanchez vs. Angel Beltran Villa
Chris Avila vs. Jeremy Stephens
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