Jake Paul’s ‘First of Its Kind’ Contract Ends Without a Single Fight
Jake Paul's first of its kind contract has come to an end after three years and without a single fight, it has been reported.
Paul has been one of the biggest disruptors in combat sports in boxing, breaking records with his Netflix superfights against Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua.
But he did also sign a multi-year deal to compete in MMA, penning a unique contract with PFL in January 2023.
The promotion, launched by Donn Davis in 2017, announced the partnership with the Problem Child in a press release where they said Paul would serve as the first member and co-founder of PFL's '"pay-per-view superfight division".
Advert
Paul, along with business partner Nakisa Bidarian were poised to "utilize their expertise and platforms to help recruit, market, and promote the new division".
He agreed to take on the role as 'Head of Fighter Advocacy' and said he "will consistently promote PFL fighters".
Paul stressed that he he a clear plan to "enter the PFL SmartCage and once again show the world that that anything is possible with hard work and dedication".
There were rumours of Paul stepping into the cage with former UFC star Nate Diaz but that never materialised and now, three years on, Ariel Helwani has revealed what he has heard regarding the deal.
"Whatever affiliation, business-wise or not, that Jake Paul and his team had with the PFL, I'm hearing that that is no more," Helwani said on his latest Uncrowned show.
"So that is something that kept being brought up, regarding would he fight, would he not, promotional - that was a big thing that they did a couple years ago. I'm told that that term has come to an end."
- If you want to see even more from SPORTbible, make us a preferred source on Google.
The Paul news comes after PFL's CEO Peter Murray and founder Davis announced their exits.
On Wednesday, Davis confirmed his immediate departure in a social media statement where he said he was "stepping down" but expressed pride at the way in which "PFL has changed the great sport of MMA for the better".
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is the inaugural PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion but his only encounter has been against Renan Ferreira in October 2024.
His contract, which included being the chairman of PFL Africa, is also believed to be coming to end.
Since signing his PFL deal, Paul has fought eight times in boxing and is currently recovering from a broken jaw suffered in his fight with Joshua.
Josh Lawless