Jake Paul has started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with multiple-time world champion Mike Perez ahead of his MMA debut.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer signed a deal with PFL earlier this month and will also serve as a fighter advocate for the promotion, doubling down on his efforts to help MMA fighters earn more money and equal opportunities. Paul has previously trained in MMA and teased a crossover to the cage on several occasions by challenging some of the UFC's biggest fighters such as Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz.
Paul is pencilled in to settle his feud with Love Island star Tommy Fury in the ring on February 25, but that hasn't stopped him from beginning his grappling training as Perez posted a video of him and Paul together on his Instagram account. Perez, who has seemingly travelled over to Paul's HQ in Puerto Rico, said in the clip: "First day of jiu-jitsu, let's get it, Jake Paul BJJ!"
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Perez earned his jiu-jitsu black belt in 2017, the same year he competed in the ADCC world finals, under world-renowned coach Andre Galvao. The American trains at the Atos jiu-jitsu gym in California and has a grappling record of 23 wins and 17 lessons.
PFL boss Peter Murray recently hinted that 'The Problem Child' could make his MMA debut before the end of the year, but with fights against Tommy Fury and KSI on the horizon for Paul that seems unlikely. The 26-year-old has frequently challenged UFC boss Dana White to improve conditions for UFC fighters and that was part of his decision to serve as the head of fighter advocacy whilst also competing in the PFL.
"Not only am I'm an MMA fighter but I'm also a co-founder of the new PFL pay-per-view super-fight division. I will be the head of fighter advocacy and I'm going to use my platform to market PFL fighters and introduce them to my fans worldwide," Paul said on his YouTube channel.
"I personally will be deeply involved in making sure the PFL is the best place in the world for fighters, with the launch of this new division our fighters will be receiving 50 per cent of the revenue. A partnership that allows fighters to be individual and for them to monetise their own sponsorship deals which as we know, isn't allowed in the UFC."
Paul is not lacking experience on the mat as, along with brother Logan, he has an extensive background in college wrestling. Logan was the more accomplished of the two in the sport as he made it onto his college's Division 1 team, the highest level of collegiate sports in America.
