Following weeks of speculation, Jake Paul and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley have reached an agreement for a fight that will take place on Showtime pay-per-view.
Sources close to the situation confirmed the news to MMA Fighting following an initial report from The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger.
The fight is expected to become official later this week with a press conference that will feature Paul and Woodley facing off for the first time. A date and location for the fight will also be announced at that time.
The showdown between the YouTube celebrity turned boxer and ex-UFC champion has been talked about for the better part of the last two months with both fighters expressing interest in making it happen. Woodley served as a cornerman for his longtime teammate Ben Askren when he faced Paul back in April with that fight ending in dramatic fashion after the 24-year-old Ohio native floored the retired UFC fighter with a single punch in the first round.
Ever since that time, Woodley has been volunteering his services to face Paul in the boxing ring after he exited the UFC following the conclusion of his most recent contract. Woodley left the UFC on a four-fight losing streak after he was widely regarded as one of the best welterweight champions in the promotion’s history.
As for Paul, the always outspoken social influencer currently sports a perfect 3-0 record in his boxing career with all three fights ending by way of knockout including the bout against Askren as well as his previous matchup against ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
After his last fight was promoted by Triller, Paul inked a multi-fight deal with Showtime Sports with his matchup with Woodley expected to serve as the first bout on that contract.