Eddie Hearn dubs Jake Paul’s fight against Nate Diaz an epic ‘mismatch’

Eddie Hearn has dubbed Jake Paul’s fight with MMA veteran Nate Diaz a ‘mismatch’ of epic proportions, prophesising that the contest will last just four rounds. 

The YouTuber-turned-fighter will face the 38-year-old former UFC champion on August 5 in the first match of Diaz’s boxing career. 

Paul suffered his first defeat in February against Tommy Fury, Tyson’s younger brother, when the pair met after months of back and forth in Saudi Arabia, with the former Love Island star winning via split decision. 

Diaz will be the fourth former UFC fighter that Paul has faced in his career, having previously beating Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva since starting a career in the ring in 2018. 

Hearn and Paul have a frosty relationship, with Hearn previously launching litigation against the Problem Child. 

Eddie Hearn (left) has claimed Jake Paul is heavily mismatched against opponent Nate Diaz

The stories promoted praised the former MMA fighter, hinting that the 38-year-old ‘can box’

The promoter sued Paul for defamation in a $100million suit in September 2022 after Paul accused him of paying judges. 

But speaking to The MMA Hour, Hearn was optimistic about Paul’s chances, saying: ‘I watched Nate Diaz hit pads. You know it’s going to be a mismatch against Jake Paul, don’t you?

‘But for it to be a mismatch against Jake Paul, like, yes (he’s getting smoked) yes. It won’t go to four.

‘Unless it’s all a bit of a bluff by Nate, what I saw – you can see people hit pads and you know whether they (can box).

‘And we’re talking about Jake Paul. We’re not talking about (Tyson) Fury or Anthony Joshua, fighting an MMA fighter, you’re talking about Jake Paul.’

The pair confronted one another during a boisterous press conference for their fight in May

Paul will fight over ten rounds for the first time in his career as he takes on the MMA star, who has seen a wealth of success during his 17-year career. 

Diaz was expected to benefit from the additional rounds, and Paul acknowledged this himself in his initial statement after the fight was announced. 

People tell me Nate has been training with (undefeated former light heavyweight champion) Andre Ward for years,’ Paul said in April. ‘That he has insane stamina. That he refuses to back down. Good for f****** Nate.’ 

The fight is due to take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.