Jake Paul might reconsider his proposal to face Nate Diaz in a rematch in his MMA debut, given the vast differences in fighting styles and the immense skills and experience Diaz has in MMA.
Jake Paul has challenged Nate Diaz for a rematch in a mixed martial arts (MMA) fight, but experts believe that this might not be in his best interests. Paul has been taunting Diaz with a $10 million fight offer since their recent boxing match. While Paul was the ultimate winner of their hard-fought 10-round match, it may not be as simple if they decided to have a rematch under MMA rules. As a part of the PFL roster, Paul will have his work cut out for him if he accepts this rematch.
Gilbert Melendez, Diaz’s veteran teammate and seasoned MMA fighter, shared his views on the potential rematch on an episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. With solid confidence in Diaz’s capabilities, Melendez said, “Nate destroys this guy in MMA. I’d love to see it. I’d love to see it in boxing again, too. Run it back in boxing and then in MMA.” Melendez also praised Diaz for his resilience in the boxing match, given that it was his first professional boxing event, and noted that the size advantage was the deciding factor for Paul’s victory.
Melendez believes that an MMA match would significantly favor Diaz, considering his world-class grappling skills. Even though Paul’s success in MMA isn’t impossible, jumping right into an MMA match against Diaz may set him up for failure. Melendez highlighted the complexities of grappling and wrestling, noting that while boxing is relatively straightforward, MMA requires proficiency in several skills, including kicks, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling, which take time to master.
Further, Melendez pointed out that striking in MMA is significantly different from traditional boxing, which is another area where Diaz could potentially outdo Paul. Though he respects Paul’s courage to step into MMA, a game with different rules and levels from boxing, Melendez reminds everyone that Paul will not be facing a novice, but a seasoned fighter like Diaz, with over 30 fights under his belt, including notable victories over former UFC champions. He sarcastically concluded, “It’s a different sport. I can’t wait to see it. I really do hope they have a rematch, whether it’s boxing or MMA.”