Jake Paul’s ‘Tombstone’ Reference Sets Stage for MMA Showdown With Cowboy Cerrone?

Jake Paul has been free ever since he packed off former UFC legend Anderson Silva at Arizona’s Desert Diamond Arena last year on October 29. By the year-end, video clips of “The Problem Child” sending feelers first to bitter contender Tommy Fury and mixed martial artists Paddy Pimblett and Mike Perry went viral. Come 2023, news reached the stands that Paul and Professional Fighters League (PFL) had entered a multi-year agreement. PFL was founded in 2018 by businessman Donn Davis.

The promotion uses a seasonal format, with a regular season, playoffs, and a championship instead of having the fights all year. On-roll, Paul immediately received an invitation for a fight. The YouTuber-turned-boxer, whose stint in boxing involved bouts against much older mixed martial artists, seems tired of cherry-picking allegations. Hence, intending to put all rumors to rest, he appears to be giving a wider berth to much younger fighters. However, the move might not be as welcoming as much as it means to be.

Enter the gunslinging Cowboy

Former UFC fighter Donald “Cowboy,” Cerrone retired from the UFC last year. He lost his last bout against Jim Miller during the UFC 276 in Las Vegas. During an interview with Thiccc Boy Studio, while talking about Jake Paul, he said, “Would I like to fight him? How could I say no to millions of dollars? I would definitely go out there and do it, but I’m not sitting here saying, ‘Jake, you’re a YouTuber, you’re not worth a f**k, blah blah blah.’ No, man. You’re making money and if you want to throw some money my way, I’m with you.”

Read More: Jake Paul Announces Boxing Return Against 3 Potential Opponents

Unfortunately for him, Paul, tarnished by the misconception that he only fights and defeats opponents much older than himself, seems hell-bent on an image changeover. He plans to alter this in 2023, so he’s reportedly passing up the opportunity to face the thirty-nine-year-old retired UFC fan favorite. Speaking to sports journalist The Schmo, he said, “I don’t know, I’m kind of tired of beating these old dudes up like that, you know what I’m saying. “I’m just trying to get someone in there who is younger, but they’re all scared. They’re just trying to protect their record.”

Cowboy Cerrone – I can still fight you, Jake Paul!

There’s a scene from the 1993 Western cult classic Tombstone. Johnny Ringo, played by actor Michael Biehn, questions Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), “You retired too?” And the latter responds, “Not me. I’m in my prime.”

“Cowboy” took to his Instagram handle and borrowed the iconic dialogues to show his displeasure over Jake Paul’s reluctance to fight.

Madison Square Garden NEW YORK CITY, NY – FEBRUARY 2: Jake Paul interacts with media during the Amanda Serrano v Katie Taylor press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at Madison Square Garden on February 2, 2022, in New York City, New York, United States. Photo by Matt Davies/PxImages Matt Davies/SPP-Px

Jake Paul on Bleacher Report:

“Time to shut up, all MMA fans; I am about to fight deadly Cowboy Cerrone on my MMA debut. How bout that, huh?

@jakepaul

“What do you think darlin? Should I hate him? I don’t know there’s just something about him, sometimes around the eyes!”

It’s an open question about the route Jake Paul will take. But whatever the case, fans may prefer seeing him fight a dyed-in-wool boxer if he intends to continue boxing or a skilled mixed martial artist who matches him in skill, age, and sheer physicality.

Watch Out for More: Boxing’s Richest: How Does Jake Paul Spend His Millions?

What is your take on this? Do you think Jake Paul’s stint in MMA will be as fruitful as it was in boxing? Let us know in the comments below.