Jake Paul, the former YouTuber-turned-Boxer, has been unstoppable since his 2020 debut, triumphing over older and less experienced MMA fighters. But, after making a name for himself in boxing, is Jake Paul headed to the UFC? And if so, in which weight category might he compete in the Dana White-led organization? Discover more here.
Jake Paul recently secured an impressive win over seasoned boxer Andre August through a devastating first-round KO. In 2024, “The Problem Child” is set to enter the MMA arena, signing with a UFC competitor. Since donning boxing gloves, he has garnered both fans and challengers in the octagon.
Let’s delve into Jake Paul’s weight category, statistics, career achievements, upcoming matches, and more.
What is Jake Paul’s Weight Class?
Jake Paul is a Cruiserweight. For clarity, cruiserweight, also known as junior heavyweight, is a professional boxing category that falls between light heavyweight and heavyweight, with a weight range of 175-200 lbs. Fighters in this class are typically large and intimidating.
Since his debut, Jake Paul has consistently competed in the cruiserweight category, maintaining his weight within this range. However, the social media influencer has openly advocated for a 185-pound weight division in boxing, citing a significant gap between the light-heavyweight (175 lbs) and cruiserweight (200 lbs) categories.
Jake Paul has frequently competed at catchweight, facing retired MMA fighters, basketball players, and fellow YouTubers. He now aims to transition to professional bouts, having recently defeated skilled boxer Andre August by first-round knockout.
Current Weight of Jake Paul
Jake Paul currently weighs around 199.4 pounds, as per his latest weigh-in against boxer Andre August in December 2023. The 6-foot-1 boxer has always maintained his weight within the cruiserweight category. Before facing August, Jake Paul weighed exactly 185 lbs against Nate Diaz.
For his initial professional boxing bout against YouTuber AnEsonGib, Jake Paul weighed in at 191.7 pounds and fluctuated between 186 and 192 pounds for subsequent matches against Nate Robinson, Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva.
The lowest weight Jake Paul recorded was against British boxer Tommy Fury, where he weighed 183.6 pounds, leading to his only loss since starting his professional boxing career.
Which Weight Class will Jake Paul Compete in the UFC?
Should Jake “The Problem Child” Paul transition to the UFC, he would need to compete in either the Middleweight (185 lbs) or Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) divisions, as there is no cruiserweight category within the UFC. Nevertheless, Jake should adapt comfortably to either division, having competed within both weight ranges.
Towering at 6-foot-1 and naturally weighing around 200 lbs, Jake wouldn’t need to gain additional weight to enter the light heavyweight division, though he would need to cut down slightly to compete in the middleweight division.
Jake Paul: Stats, Record, and Fights
Jake Joseph Paul, an American pro boxer, YouTube star, social media influencer, and entrepreneur, commenced his boxing journey with an amateur bout against British YouTuber Deji Olatunji in August 2018. By January 2020, Jake Paul went professional after defeating fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib with a first-round TKO.
Subsequently, Jake Paul overcame prominent figures, including retired basketball player Nate Robinson and former MMA icons Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva. Despite experiencing his first defeat in the boxing ring in February 2023, losing to Tommy Fury via split decision, Jake remained undeterred.
Here’s a summary of Jake Paul’s boxing career, including his stats and professional record:
- Record: 8-1
- Wins by KO: 62.5%
- DOB: January 17, 1997
- Age: 27
- Nickname: The Problem Child
- Reach: 76 inches
- Height:6-foot-1
- Current Weight: 199.4 lbs
Is Jake Paul an Official UFC Fighter?
No, Jake Paul hasn’t entered into a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as of now. Nonetheless, he might compete in the UFC in the future, though not this year. In January 2023, Paul committed to a multi-year agreement with UFC-competitor PFL. This doesn’t entirely eliminate the chance of The Problem Child participating in the UFC eventually.
Paul initiated his boxing journey with resounding triumphs over retired athletes, basketball players, and fellow YouTubers. He recently bested his most challenging rival to date. He is progressing further in boxing to establish himself as credible enough to engage with the top figures in the MMA world.
“This is the path I’m currently pursuing, and earlier it was more about business or MMA personalities, renowned figures, but now I’m following the traditional boxing trajectory,” Jake once shared with ESPN in an interview. There’s a significant possibility that Jake Paul will make his MMA debut in 2024 for the PFL in a newly introduced category named “Super Fight.”
What is Jake Paul’s Super Fight Division?
Jake Paul has committed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to compete in the Super Fight division. This newly established category primarily highlights athletes who are already notable figures. The objective of this division is to conduct PPV events featuring celebrities who can attract substantial audiences to the octagon.
Additionally, the PFL has bestowed the title of “Head of Fighter Advocacy” upon Jake Paul, who continues to champion better remuneration for fighters in MMA. Jake has been outspoken about UFC President Dana White’s approach to compensating fighters in the UFC. Thus, he aims to reform this with the Super Fight division in the PFL.
“This is about transforming MMA, disrupting, innovating, and forming the next major league,” Jake mentioned in an interview. We might soon see The Problem Child competing in the Super Fight division this year. At present, he is set to fight on March 02, 2024, at the Coliseo de Puerto against an opponent yet to be disclosed.
Frequently Answered Questions:
What weight class does Jake Paul fight in?:
Jake Paul competes in the cruiserweight category, which has a maximum weight limit of 200 lbs. The last time Jake “The Problem Child” Paul weighed in was before his match against veteran boxer Andre August, and he registered a weight of 199.4 lbs, staying within the cruiserweight division limits.
Is Jake Paul taller than Logan Paul?:
Jake Paul is slightly shorter than his older brother Logan Paul by one inch. He stands at 6-foot-1 while Logan measures 6-foot-2.
Did Jake Paul fight Nate Diaz in MMA?:
Jake Paul faced Nate Diaz in a crossover boxing bout that extended to 10 rounds from the initially planned 8. The two competed in a conventional boxing ring with standard rules. The YouTuber-turned-boxer and the retired MMA star haven’t yet clashed in an octagon.
Who is Jake Paul signed with?:
Jake Paul has secured a multi-year contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), an organization rivaling UFC in MMA promotion. He currently competes in the Super Fight division of the PFL, which is a category designed specifically to host PPV events featuring celebrity fighters who can draw significant revenue.