Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

Khabib Nurmagomedov could veto Jake Paul's request to train at MMA gym

American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez says members the gym would have to vote on whether Jake Paul would be allowed to train at the facility.

The AKA gym in San Jose, California is home to multiple former UFC champions such as Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Paul said Mendez and Nurmagomedov were "down" to train him as the YouTube star plots his MMA debut for later this year.

But Mendez said Paul has never asked to train at their gym in California and the decision would have to be voted on by the other fighters.

"It could happen but like anybody you know we have to go through all the coaches and all the fighters that are here and anybody that's a famous athlete like him," he told The Schmo.

"They will go through the routine that everybody does so he would have to get voted by everybody.

"If there's one person in particular that doesn't want him here for that particular reason, he can't be here, so everybody would have to vote."

"First of all, he's never asked. What he's done is he's marketed himself beautifully. I loved the plug he gave us, I think it was a fantastic plug and I think he's a fantastic person."

'The Problem Child' originally set out to go 10-0 or 12-0 in boxing before stepping foot in the cage, but now wants to make his MMA debut this year.

He recently posted a video of his "first day" training leg kicks with fans divided over his kicking technique.

Paul is reportedly in talks with the Professional Fighters League promotion over making his debut this year, but has also been welcomed to fight in Bellator.

Should Jake Paul make the move to MMA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

UFC president Dana White has previously ruled out any chance of working with the YouTube star, who is 4-0 as a professional boxer.

And Mendez has praised Paul for his meteoric rise in the boxing world last year.

"He creates interest, how can you not like a guy who creates interest. I sent him a text of encouragement, a heartfelt message," Mendez continued.

"He in turn gave me a create return favour by talking about training with us. But the reality is no matter who you are, you have to go through the team to get consent to train with us.

"He hasn't been given consent because he hasn't asked, it's not that he won't I just know he hasn't asked. If he does get denied, he won't know denied him cause we don't say that."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.