Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer known for making headlines as much as knockouts, is once again stirring the combat sports world. This time, he’s aiming big—really big—by setting his sights on undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk for an MMA fight in 2026.
The announcement, or rather the callout, came during a recent interview where Paul claimed that UFC star Nate Diaz continues to avoid a rematch. With the Diaz bout on ice, Paul is looking elsewhere—and has now dropped Usyk’s name into the mix.
“If Nate won’t fight, maybe I go full MMA and fight Oleksandr Usyk in 2026. That would shock the world,” Paul said confidently.
⚠️ Is He Serious?
While many fans are taking the comment with a grain of salt, Paul has been known to turn outrageous statements into actual fight deals. His MMA training with the PFL (Professional Fighters League) has been no secret, and he’s hinted before at an octagon debut.
Still, Oleksandr Usyk is a reigning, undefeated heavyweight boxing champion and one of the most technical fighters in the sport today. Even the thought of him stepping into an MMA cage, let alone fighting Jake Paul, has many in the community calling it a “publicity stunt.”
💬 Social Media Reactions
Fans have flooded X (formerly Twitter) with opinions:
- “Jake Paul calling out Usyk is like challenging a tank to a street race.”
- “He’s mastered boxing marketing—now he’s coming for MMA headlines.”
- “He won’t fight Diaz but wants Usyk in a cage? Cap.”
🥊 What About Nate Diaz?
This isn’t the first time Paul has taken shots at Nate Diaz, following their boxing bout in 2023. Paul has long teased a rematch under MMA rules, but Diaz has yet to sign the dotted line.
“Nate knows I’d beat him in MMA too. He’s running,” Paul said bluntly.
🎯 What’s Next?
It’s unclear how serious Paul is about fighting Usyk, who is currently preparing for a rematch with Tyson Fury later this year. However, in the world of celebrity combat sports, no idea is too wild—especially when Jake Paul is involved.
Whether it’s hype or a genuine challenge, Paul has once again found a way to keep the spotlight firmly on himself.
