Nate Diaz, who recently became a free agent, has said that he would likely take on Jake Paul in a boxing match as his next task. Diaz’s contract with the UFC ended after his fight with Tony Ferguson two weekends ago, for which he won the Performance of the Night after winning via submission. Now, the mixed martial artist is looking to try his hand on some boxing, and Paul could be his first target.

Speaking over the weekend, Diaz said that he would either take on Paul or Anderson Silva, who Paul is supposed to fight next. He said, “(Jake Paul) is for sure one of the options. He’s doing big stuff. He’s doing big things.

“He’s got a big fight ahead of him. If he wins that, I’m sure people will be really impressed by it. And if Anderson (Silva) does his thing on him, that’s impressive also. Now we’ve got a fight on his hands. I’m looking forward to it.”

Diaz also mentioned that he had always had his sights on boxing since he was young, and now that he is a free agent, it is time to focus on what has been his passion: “From 17 or 18 years old, I was starting to fight, I was boxing with my boxing coach. There were boxers all over my gym, and I was going to box initially, but MMA shows were more around my area, and they were happening, so I got stuck in MMA.

“I got stuck in a cage this whole time with contracts and stuff. Now everything is open for the taking. I never stopped training for a boxing fight since I started fighting. When the right opponent or right thing comes, we’re going to take it.”

The 37-year-old seems very determined to chase boxing now, but that does not mean he might not return to the UFC again. All he would have to do is to sign a new contract, and he is back to the octagon. Although at this age, he does not have many fights left in him, whether he decides to go for boxing or stick with MMA.

Leon Osamor