PFL\u2019s new CEO John Martin has just arrived on the scene, and could have just been handed one of the biggest fights in MMA history.<\/p>\n
The former Turner Broadcasting CEO took over MMA\u2019s second biggest promotion in July<\/a>, and within his first official month with the company appears to have stumbled into a crossover mega-fight.<\/p>\n When Oleksandr Usyk<\/a> defeated Daniel Dubois just days after Turner\u2019s appointment, he made waves by facing off in the ring with Jake Paul<\/a>. However, the boxing duo want to compete inside the cage, which would mean the social media star finally making his debut after signing with the PFL<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\n PFL CEO John Martin wants to bring Jake Paul vs Oleksandr Usyk to the Smart Cage<\/p>\n Over the past few weeks, both Paul and Usyk have been going back-and-forth<\/a> on social media with their own messages about wanting to meet in the cage. Obviously, the 28-year-old would be seen as a comical underdog if they were to box, but his wrestling background makes an MMA fight intriguing.<\/p>\n And Martin, no stranger to garnering millions of viewers in his days as a TV exec, is certainly not going to turn down the chance to put on one of the most exciting fights in the sport\u2019s history. <\/p>\n Speaking with Bloody Elbow in Dubai ahead of Friday night\u2019s Champions Series event, Martin remained coy about details, but noted that promotional co-founder Donn Davis stays in touch with Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this is my one month anniversary and I\u2019ve been quite busy,\u201d he noted. \u201cBut I look forward to that [meeting with Bidarian and Paul. <\/p>\n \u201cMy understanding is that if Jake decides he wants to fight MMA, he has a relationship with PFL and we\u2019d be a great place for him to do it. So we\u2019ll wait and see what happens. <\/p>\n Asked directly if that fight is the one he\u2019d be keen to make, Martin responded enthusiastically: \u201cThe answer\u2019s yes!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019d be amazing,\u201d he continued. \u201cI mean look, Jake has done extraordinarily well in boxing and I think he\u2019s surprised a lot of people. And I would love to have the opportunity to consider him doing an MMA fight with PFL.\u201d<\/p>\n Martin refused to confirm if the fight would take place in 2026, or make a prediction as to who would win.<\/p>\n Oleksandr Usyk sent Jake Paul cage fight message<\/p>\n Usually when it comes to a Jake Paul callout, it\u2019s the YouTuber-turned-boxer who is turning up the heat. But in this case, it appears that current undisputed heavyweight<\/a> champion Usyk is the one keen to make the fight happen, particularly as he eyes retirement from the ring with his 39th birthday on the horizon.<\/p>\n Good plan, @jakepaul<\/a>. But I\u2019m not here for 5th place \u2014 only first.
Soon, I’ll close the book on boxing, and after that, I\u2019ll be waiting for you in the cage. Let\u2019s see if you\u2019ve got the balls or just a hunger for hype. https:\/\/t.co\/d0IuwLesKX<\/a><\/p>\n