Jake Paul Eyeing 2027 MMA Debut to Compete Against UFC After Massive MVP – PFL Merger Announcement

The future of MMA looks exciting as Jake Paul's MVP MMA is here to disrupt the UFC's worldwide dominance at the top of the sport.

Jake Paul Eyeing 2027 MMA Debut to Compete Against UFC After Massive MVP – PFL Merger Announcement

MVP - PFL merger allows Jake Paul to make MMA debut (Image via Reuters/MVP X Account)

MVP MMA led by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian put their first ever event in May of this year. The event had popular MMA stars like Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Nate Diaz, and Francis Ngannou as star attractions. After the event, the plan was always to put on more events.

Without having a roster, MVP MMA may have struggled to consistently put on events for the fans. As such, Professional Fighters League (PFL) will now merge with MVP MMA to create a new combat sports platform under the MVP banner.

The younger Paul brother has always talked about wanting to compete against the UFC to give fighters what they deserve. The UFC underpaying its fighters has remained a major criticism for a long time. With the new merger, Paul hopes to compete in the cage as well.

I’ve been trying to make it happen for a long time and it really just come down to negotiation behind the scenes. I’m go come back later this year into boxing and then looking to do MMA in 2027… I’ve never even done a single day of MMA training. I have a wrestling background. I grew up in Division I Ohio wrestling in high school. I’d imagine it’s very similar to boxing.

Jake Paul told ESPN SportsCenter

Fighting someone like ‘The Problem Child’ is a lucrative opportunity for any MMA star. As such, there is likely a list of fighters willing to make the jump to the newly merged MVP MMA – PFL company for a huge payday. After all, Paul is looking to reshape MMA and boxing at a global level.

It remains to be seen if Jake Paul faces a top MMA fighter or someone past their prime like his boxing career. Fans have always criticized the younger Paul brother for fighting retired or past their prime MMA fighters for his boxing bouts.

Journalist Ariel Helwani reported that co-founders and board members, Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, will still lead the company. However, PFL’s John Martin serves as the CEO for the newly merged promotion. The experience of Martin will come in handy for Paul’s vision to find success.

Recently, MVP made huge waves in women’s boxing after partnering with Eddie Hearn to create better opportunity for female boxers. This move into MMA will likely feature Netflix as their partner, considering the first MVP MMA event garnered huge viewership.

The first card headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano on Netflix averaged 12.4 million viewers globally, peaking at nearly 17 million worldwide during the main event. In the US, the triple main card averaged a record 9.3 million viewers. Things look promising at the moment for everyone in MMA.

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Ariel Helwani highlights bright future for the sport after Jake Paul leads MVP – PFL merger

The first event of the MVP MMA – PFL merger will only happen in 2027. For now, PFL will try to complete its remaining schedule for 2026, and hope to start fresh next year with MVP leading.

Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian with MVP MMA headliners Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano [via ESPN]

Dana White and the UFC will have to step up their game to keep their competitions in check. The so-called monopoly of the UFC has led to even their own fighters complaining about the pay.

The best example is Justin Gaethje and Sean Strickland complaining about the UFC’s payout despite signing a record $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+. It is something Jake Paul has criticized in the past as well.

Nevertheless, MMA insider Ariel Helwani thinks the sport will be better come 2027 for the fans and fighters alike.

2027 shaping up to be a fascinating year for MMA. The kind we haven’t seen in a while. UFC year 2 on P+. Swimming along. MVP MMA launch (the plan is for the brand to fully migrate in Jan 2027) Scott Coker’s re-entry into MMA. The last two are only as strong as their TV rights deals, but we’ve got something to talk about for the first time in a while.

Ariel Helwani via X

In sports, more business benefits the fighters as they get more opportunities and better paychecks. To continue having the best fighters compete against each other, the UFC needs to step up to remain the big player in the game.

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