Jake Paul MMA opponent: Former UFC fighters throw their names in the mix

Jake Paul continues to be a lucrative opponent for UFC veterans as he steps into the world of MMA. 'The Problem Child' has famously built a career off of fighting retired UFC fighters like Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva in boxing.

Paul has no dearth of UFC veterans calling him out as he recently announced a multi-year deal with the PFL which will feature his MMA debut in the promotion's new division, Super Fight.

Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has already offered to face Paul. 'Showtime', one of the biggest names in the PFL, wrote:

"Welcome to the PFL @jakepaul More than happy to welcome you to MMA’s league if Nate isn’t available 🤝 @PeteMurrayPFL @PFLMMA @DonnDavisPFL"

Welcome to the PFL @jakepaul

More than happy to welcome you to MMA’s league if Nate isn’t available 🤝 @PeteMurrayPFL @PFLMMA @DonnDavisPFL

Pettis' comments came after Jake Paul offered Nate Diaz a two-fight deal, one each in MMA and boxing.

Another prominent fighter to call out Paul was former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos. Reacting to a Twitter post about Paul's next opponent, 'Marreta' wrote:

"⚒️⚒️⚒️"

So.....Who do you want to see @jakepaul fight in the SmartCage? 👀

Drop your pick 👇

@PFLMMA @jakepaul ⚒️⚒️⚒️

Santos recently parted ways with the UFC after dropping five of his last six outings. The one-time title challenger has signed up with the PFL for the promotion's tournament-based 2023 season.

Other UFC veterans to call out Paul were Fabio Cheriant and John Maguire, while some proposed the name of former Strikeforce champ Jake Shields.

@PFLMMA @jakepaul I'll be his huckleberry. I mean I'm pushing 40, iv had back surgery and iv had some time off but I could use the warm up...

@PFLMMA @jakepaul https://t.co/Db2CkjLv2k

@TommyToeHold @PFLMMA @jakepaul @jakeshieldsajj

More potential opponents for Jake Paul's MMA debut

Jake Paul recently signed a muti-year deal with the PFL where he will help promote their new pay-per-view Super Fight division. Paul also revealed that fighters in the division will receive an unprecedented 50% of the total revenue share along with the freedom to monetize their own sponsorship deals.

'The Problem Child' has been lauded by MMA fans and pundits alike for the huge step.

Jake Paul’s PFL video & signing is kinda fire 🔥 if we’re being honest 😂

I think it is a great move for @jakepaul and shows how business savvy he really is. I can’t say the same for the @PFLMMA at this time. It is going to take time to see how positive his presence is for them and if it was a good move for everyone involved twitter.com/ivthestatemma/…

Respect ✊🏾 twitter.com/jakepaul/statu…

It’s getting really hard not to like the guy now.. 50% revenue and fighter advocacy… Big If True twitter.com/arielhelwani/s…

Apart from receiving due credit, Paul also suggested multiple potential opponents for his MMA debut. Former UFC middleweight Deron Winn, who was recently released after a bleak spell and a freak accident, offered to fight 'The Problem Child'.

Hey @PFLMMA I’m a free agent. I wouldn’t mind welcoming @jakepaul into the MMA world. 😘. But let’s be real. He’d never take this fight, even tho I’m like the shortest middleweight in history 🤷🏾‍♂️ should be a manageable W for him!

Another suggested opponent for Paul was former UFC featherweight Shane Burgos, who recently signed with the PFL. Dana White has previously admitted that the UFC committed a blunder in letting go of 'Hurricane'.

Wow Jake Paul to PFL that’s wild. Who we want to see him fight? I think
@HurricaneShaneB should get it.