Jake Paul’s MMA future is uncertain as his focus stayed on boxing, and his PFL deal quietly ended.
Jake Paul’s long-teased move into mixed martial arts may be over before it ever truly started. More than three years after signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), reports suggest that Paul’s contract has expired without him competing in a single MMA bout.
Back in January 2023, the younger Paul brother signed what was described as a multi-year agreement with the PFL. The announcement generated significant buzz, as it included plans for Paul to compete in at least one MMA fight and to play a key role in the promotion’s newly announced “Super Fight” division. This division was designed to operate outside traditional weight classes and promised higher fighter compensation, particularly for pay-per-view events.
Jake Paul’s PFL Partnership Ends
At the time, Paul was also named a co-founder of the Super Fight division and took on the title of Head of Fighter Advocacy, positioning himself as a figure meant to push for better pay and visibility for fighters. However, despite the ambitious vision, none of the proposed plans ever materialized.
According to respected combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, the relationship between Jake Paul and the PFL has now come to an end. Speaking on his January 21, 2026 broadcast, Helwani stated that any business or promotional ties between Paul’s team and the PFL are no longer in place, suggesting that the contract has quietly run its course.
Neither Paul nor the PFL has publicly commented on the report. The news also arrives during a turbulent period for the organization, as PFL founder Donn Davis and CEO Peter Murray recently announced their departures, signaling a major shift in leadership.
Jake Paul Never Left The Boxing Ring
When Paul initially signed with the league, potential MMA matchups were widely discussed. A fight with Nate Diaz was among the most talked-about options, and Paul even showcased kickboxing training as he prepared for a possible transition. Ultimately, the two met in a boxing ring instead, with Paul earning a decision victory. Other rumored crossover ideas, including an MMA bout involving heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, also failed to move beyond speculation.
While Paul never made his MMA debut, his boxing career continued to thrive. He participated in several high-profile bouts, most notably his record-breaking Netflix event against Mike Tyson in November 2024. Despite earlier claims from PFL executives that Paul would enter the cage in 2025 and wind down his boxing career, the opposite occurred. Paul went on to defeat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. before suffering a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.
If the reports are accurate, Jake Paul’s MMA chapter is now officially closed. While he succeeded in becoming one of the biggest commercial attractions in modern boxing, his planned crossover into mixed martial arts will remain one of the sport’s most intriguing “what if” stories.