Jake Paul wants to "prove a point" enough to risk an MMA fight against Nate Diaz, says Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen has proposed Nate Diaz as Jake Paul's next opponent, but in an MMA fight. Paul recently admitted that ticket sales had tanked more than expected for his October 29 clash against Anderson Silva.
Sonnen explained why the boxing audience might be boycotting these unconventional spectacles. 'The American Gangster' noted that MMA was initially expected to attract audiences from almost every combat sport. However, individual disciplines later started discouraging their supporters from watching MMA as it adulterated their respective forms.
Sonnen now believes that it is time for Paul to move on to MMA to prove a point. With a potential fight between Paul and Diaz already being plotted, 'The American Gangster' also thinks that 'The Problem Child' might not be opposed to the idea of an MMA bout. The 45-year-old said on his YouTube channel:
"I am not certain that that's off the table. I think that things are being really looked at. I think Jake, while deserving respect and accolades and massive coverage by boxing, step for something a little different. Which is just an acceptance, a point to be proven. And he's willing to risk himself and his body to do that."
Hypothetically speaking, Sonnen also sees himself on MC duties in a press conference between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz.
Watch Sonnen's comments at the 8:10 mark of the video below:
New footage from the Nate Diaz vs. Jake Paul camp backstage altercation
Unsurprisingly, Nate Diaz was recently involved in a backstage scuffle during Jake Paul's fight with Anderson Silva at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Diaz was in attendance, supporting his teammate Chris Avila who defeated YouTuber Dr. Mike Varshavski.
The Stockton native slapped Paul's insta-famous meditation coach Lukis Mac during a backstage altercation, the origins of which are unclear. Recent footage uploaded by YouTuber Amacky provides a more detailed perspective of the sequence of events.
Watch the clip below:
The 209 brigade including Diaz himself, Avila, recently released UFC fighter Nick Maximov and rising MMA prospect Luciano Ramos, are seen mouthing off at Paul's entourage.
A bodyguard, later identified as Stacy, seemingly a sparring partner for heavyweight boxers, enters the fray after a bottle is thrown at him.
: @staffboxing]Bald head Stacy from Florida is the security guard talking . He’s sparring partners with some of the best heavyweight boxers. They don’t want none of them problems twitter.com/HappyPunchProm…
As he charges at the Diaz brigade with another bodyguard, Stacy is pelted with a beer, courtesy of Maximov. Nate Diaz said as they walked off:
"Let’s go, we won"