Jake Paul plots MMA debut - but his first cage 'fight' left Youtube star embarrassed

Jake Paul was defeated in an unofficial MMA fight just months before his boxing match against KSI's brother, Deji Olatunji. The training session took place in February 2018 with BJJ black belt AJ Agazarm, a well-known figure in the world of jiu-jitsu at the time.

Despite having a size advantage over his 26-year-old opponent, Paul, who was then a self-proclaimed YouTuber and vlogger transitioning from Vine, struggled under Agazarm's relentless pressure. The footage is the earliest known record of Paul participating in MMA or boxing, although he had previously been seen in high school wrestling tournaments.

Despite his difficulties during the sparring session, Paul demonstrated his potential with his powerful combinations and strategic positioning. In the first round, Paul was overwhelmed by AJ, and kept at a distance before being taken down and dominated on the ground.

Exhausted and gasping for breath at the end of the round, Paul met his downfall in the second round. Despite Paul landing a heavy right cross early on, Agazarm managed to complete another takedown, secure a mount, and submit the YouTuber with a well-executed armbar. Agazarm then signed with Bellator in 2019, achieving a 3-2 record with the MMA promotion, even though he lost his debut match against Jesse Roberts, reports the Mirror.

On the other hand, Paul claimed victory in his amateur boxing debut against Deji with a fifth-round TKO, before launching his professional career in 2020 with a first-round TKO of fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib. Over the past four years, he has amassed a 9-1 record, defeating UFC stars Nate Diaz, Ben Askren, Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley twice - his only defeat being a narrow split decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023.

Although he was due to face Mike Tyson this weekend, the 58-year-old boxing legend had to withdraw from the bout earlier this year due to health issues. Instead, Paul is set to take on undefeated BKFC star Mike Perry on July 20 in what will be his toughest challenge yet.

However, Paul isn't limiting himself to boxing, having signed a pioneering MMA deal with the Professional Fighters League last January. The internet-sensation-turned-boxing-hit said at the time: "I've proven myself in and out of the boxing ring and now I am going to do the same in MMA, and there is no limit to the positive impact I can make on the sport."

Despite not having stepped into the PFL Smart Cage yet, Paul could soon be locking horns in an MMA showdown with Diaz. The challenge extended to Diaz comes after Paul and PFL chief Donn Davis dangled a tempting $15 million (£11.6m) purse for a blockbuster battle in PFL, which Diaz declined in favour of a boxing rematch against former UFC adversary Jorge Masvidal.

Unfazed, Paul, gearing up for his bout with Perry at Wednesday's open workout, fired off another invitation to Diaz: "Nate Diaz should've taken my $15 million MMA offer, but yesterday's price is not today's price. So now that he needs the money, the offer goes down. And I'm still down to run it in the PFL against Nate Diaz."