The highly-anticipated news conference for the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing match delivered its fair share of surprises and revelations. Held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the event showcased the stark contrast between YouTube sensation-turned-prizefighter Paul and the seasoned former UFC star Diaz, known for his fearlessness and dedicated following.

The conference took an unexpected turn when Diaz abruptly left the stage, causing Paul to question the sudden departure. MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani clarified that Diaz had stepped away momentarily. Paul expressed his astonishment at the situation, exclaiming, “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The lead-up to the Paul vs. Diaz fight, as well as the upcoming bout itself scheduled for August 5, promise to generate further astonishment and intrigue. Paul, who has built a massive online following and disrupted the boxing scene, has publicly stated his desire to face UFC superstar Conor McGregor. The aspiring boxer sees McGregor as his ultimate challenge, and a victory over Diaz could potentially pave the way for that dream matchup.

While some initially dismissed Paul’s ambitions, he has undeniably transformed himself into one of boxing’s biggest stars over the past three years. Now, he believes that his path to a fight with McGregor is clearer than ever. Paul shared with WaxMia, “I see a road map where I knock out Nate and then go to Conor McGregor… That’ll be the biggest fight in combat sports that could possibly be made.”

Diaz’s history with McGregor adds another layer of excitement to the mix. The two fighters clashed twice in 2016, with Diaz submitting McGregor in their first encounter and McGregor securing a majority decision win in their second bout. Diaz’s recent move to become a free agent, following the expiration of his UFC contract in September, has opened up new opportunities for him, including the clash with Paul.

Paul’s aspirations for a potential McGregor bout would necessitate collaboration with the UFC, with whom he has had a contentious relationship, particularly with UFC president Dana White. Acknowledging the need to work with the UFC, Paul believes that the financial prospects of a Paul-McGregor showdown could eventually persuade White to put personal differences aside.

While Diaz’s focus is on his upcoming fight with Paul, there is also the possibility of a trilogy fight against McGregor in the future. Prior to accepting the match with Paul, Diaz’s team had preliminary discussions with the UFC about coaching against McGregor on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show and culminating in a fight. However, no specific date has been finalized for such an encounter, with Michael Chandler designated as McGregor’s potential coaching and fighting counterpart.

As the Paul vs. Diaz event captivates fight enthusiasts, the anticipation grows for the outcome of these ambitious fighters’ careers. With Paul aiming to conquer Diaz and secure his shot at McGregor, and Diaz eyeing a potential rematch with McGregor, the future holds the promise of thrilling encounters that will further ignite the world of combat sports.

By: Mr. WWK