TAMPA, Fla. — Conquered the social media world? Check. Entering boxing and shaking up the landscape of the sweet science? Check.
Entering MMA and testing his skills? It sure seems like that is going to be the case for Jake Paul.
During Thursday's press conference to promote Saturday's rematch with Tyron Woodley, the YouTuber-turned-pugilist was asked about the possibility of fighting in MMA in the future. The answer was a resounding one.
"100 percent I think it can happen," Paul said. Woodley cut him right off and said, "You're a liar."
When the press conference concluded, Paul doubled down and said he's already talked with the head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez.
"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," Paul said to a couple of media members, which included DAZN News. "I'm gonna go get coached up by Jav Mendez, Team Khabib. That's that. They're down - 100 percent."
Mendez, who has led the careers of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former UFC heavyweight titleholders Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier, confirmed to ESPN he has talked with Paul by direct message on social media. Also, one of Paul's boxing coaches, Jacob Chavez, is one of Mendez's best friends and is a coach at the gym.
Before Paul got into the social media world and boxing, he was a high school wrestler in Ohio, which is one of the top wrestling states in the United States. Paul is 4-0 with three knockouts in his short boxing career. Before he hits the mat and makes the trek to MMA, Paul wants a few more matches in the boxing realm before he switches combat sports.
"I've gotta go 10-0, 12-0 in boxing first, and then I'll hit that MMA fight," Paul said.
Woodley is a former UFC welterweight champion. However, when asked about the possibility of Paul making the venture to his world, Woodley wasn't too convinced it would happen.
"He's f—ing a liar," Woodley said. "Let's do it, then. You want to make a bet? Let's make a bet. You want to fight MMA, come and fight me. I came to box him. I went up a weight class-and-a-half. Come to MMA, we'll fight at middleweight, and you'll really see what it is."