Conor McGregor blasts ‘wally’ Jake Paul after agreeing to make MMA debut
Conor McGregor has taken aim at Jake Paul after the YouTuber signed a deal to fight in MMA via the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
The 25-year-old defeated the likes of Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva en route to amassing a 6-0 undefeated boxing record. The social media megastar now has plans to take over another combat sport with PFL and he will fight in their new pay-per-view 'super-fight' division.
Paul will also receive equity from the promotion as part of the deal and is also taking up a new role as Head of Fighter Advocacy. This prompted a response from UFC superstar McGregor, who is not impressed with the new partnership.
READ MORE: Jake Paul set for MMA debut after signing deal and will head super-fight PPV division
"Numbnuts gave away fifty per cent of his future purse if he does an MMA fight,” he said in a now-deleted tweet. "Wow what an idiot. Joint partnership what? For what you wally. Wally."
Paul and McGregor have exchanged barbs for some time, with the former keen to get in the octagon with the Irishman. A fight between the pair could open up if McGregor ever elects to return to either the boxing ring or cage outside of the UFC, where his contract is set to expire in two fights time.
The PFL has branded itself as a "fighter-first" organisation since launching in 2017 and its new 'Super Fight' division will see fighters take home 50% of the pay-per-view revenue. Having now gathered some experience in boxing and having competed in amateur wrestling in Ohio, Paul is confident he can use his skills to dominate the Octagon.
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"I know this is a tough sport, but if I can do it in boxing I can do it in MMA," he said confidently. He also explained that he will be heavily involved with business outside of competition, and having campaigned for increased pay for MMA fighters, intends to see PFL fighters generating half of the promotion's revenue.
He said: "I've officially signed as an MMA fighter to the fastest-growing sports league in the world, the PFL. Not only am I an MMA fighter but I'm also a co-founder of the new PFL pay-per-view super-fight division. I personally will be deeply involved in making sure the PFL is the best place in the world for fighters, with the launch of this new division our fighters will be receiving 50 per cent of the revenue.
“A partnership that allows fighters to be individual and for them to monetise their own sponsorship deals which, as we know, isn't allowed in the UFC. I've already disrupted boxing but now it's time to disrupt in MMA, I know this is such a tough sport and it's not going to be easy. But if I did it in boxing I can do it in MMA.
“I'm so dedicated that I've offered Nate Diaz a two-fight deal, first we box then six months later we fight in the PFL SmartCage. If that's not balls, then I don't know what it is."
Paul has previously criticised UFC supremo Dana White over lack of pay for his fighters. "Social media, our numbers on PPV, our numbers on television, arena records. This business is on fire,” he said last year.
"Also Dana White: We are again raising PPV prices and saying FU to fans and fighters. You are one of the most selfish capitalistic motherf**kers that I've ever seen. Everybody else needs you, Dana.”
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