‘Respect’: Fighters React To Jake Paul Signing With The PFL

Jake Paul has the MMA community talking. 

On Thursday, news broke that the YouTuber-turned-boxer has entered the MMA realm thanks to an exclusive multi-fight, multi-year deal with the PFL and their new Super Fight Division. Even UFC middleweight contender Kyle Daukaus said that it’s getting hard not to like the social media star. 

“It’s getting really hard not to like the guy now.. 50% revenue and fighter advocacy… Big If True.” 

It’s getting really hard not to like the guy now.. 50% revenue and fighter advocacy… Big If True https://t.co/pZHRJqyhkq

— Kyle Daukaus (@KyleDaukaus) January 5, 2023

Paul has been an advocate for increasing pay for fighters in the MMA. He has publicly criticized UFC President Dana White, who, for example, has been unable to re-sign heavyweight Francis Ngannou due to failure to renegotiate a new contract. PFL’s Super Fight division will promote two pay-per-view events in 2023 and promises to share 50% of its revenue with the fighters. 

Here’s how the MMA community reacted. 

Welcome to the PFL @jakepaul

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

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) January 5, 2023

Welcome to the @PFLMMA @jakepaul big things to come, but I guarantee you and all the fans, we fight, you’re going to shoot first!

— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) January 5, 2023

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!

— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) January 5, 2023

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

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 5, 2023

yooooooooo 🗣️ https://t.co/HOJ9tw8sCi

— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) January 5, 2023

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

— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) January 5, 2023

Respect ✊🏾 https://t.co/DhhPDHphTG

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) January 5, 2023

Jake Paul in MMA !? #mma

— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) January 5, 2023

As my bro @moicanoufc say “ Marreta wants money “ ⚒️👀🤑@PFLMMA @Alexdavismma @espnmma @MMAJunkie

— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) January 5, 2023