Exclusive | Jake Paul has talked to Royce Gracie family about potential MMA team-up

Nypost · Aug 07, 2026 · 683 words · By Erich Richter

Jake Paul's Career Transition Media Distribution Rights Combat Sports Business

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What to know about Jake Paul's Career Transition

Jake Paul is coming to a cage near you — and he’s bringing a whole new promotion with him.

Claims checked 13

Techniques found 1

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center83%

Right17%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Jake Paul is coming to a cage near you — and he’s bringing a whole new promotion with him.

Why it matters

Mixed martial arts is getting a major shake-up in the combat sports game with some new and familiar faces taking the plunge.

Common ground

When Most Valuable Promotions merged with the Professional Fighters League, many questions were answered about Jake Paul’s long-rumored venture into MMA — a sport dominated by Dana White and the UFC, though this new venture hopes to make a bit of a dent in…

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Jake Paul's Career Transition story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that It’s the most-viewed of the eight PFL telecasts on ESPN or ESPN2 this year, and it’s 40 percent higher than the next-best ESPN broadcast?
How does this story connect Jake Paul's Career Transition with Media Distribution Rights over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/07/sports/jake-paul-has-talked-to-royce-gracie-family…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 70% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 6

schedule Pending 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

verified Verified 1

verified Verified By Reference 1

schedule

Claim 1: “It’s the most-viewed of the eight PFL telecasts on ESPN or ESPN2 this year, and it’s 40 percent higher than the next-best ESPN broadcast.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 2: “Kron Gracie [is a] UFC veteran”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm Kron Gracie's history in the UFC, including specific fight mentions and his return to the Octagon at UFC 310.

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web search NEUTRAL — It was only Gracie’s fifth fight as a professional, with every single one of them ending in a submission victory for the Brazilian. Only once has ‘Ice cream’ been taken past the first round, choking o…
https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/18/kron-gracie-chokes-alex-cacer…

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web search NEUTRAL — On this edition of the Monday Morning Analyst, Luke Thomas breaks down and analyzes Kron Gracie's rear-naked choke win at UFC Phoenix and Francis Ngannou's controversial win over Cain Velasquez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8qasiyfnU8

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web search NEUTRAL — In the build-up to his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 310, Kron Gracie has spoken candidly about his relationship with his father, the legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Ricks…
https://bjjdoc.com/2024/12/04/kron-gracie-on-charles-jourdai…

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Claim 3: “PFL has been broadcast on ESPN since 2019”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm or deny the PFL's broadcast history with ESPN since 2019.

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Claim 4: “Most Valuable Promotions merged with the Professional Fighters League”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources, including a Business Wire press release and MMA Junkie Radio, confirm the merger between Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jason Jackson (born October 30, 1990) is a Jamaican mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. Jackson has competed in Titan FC, Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), Professional Fight…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Jackson_(fighter)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is a boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company, established in 2021 by American professional boxer and influencer Jake Paul and his adviser Nakisa Bidarian. …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Valuable_Promotions

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — %5B%5BWikipedia%3ATemplates+for+discussion%2FLog%2F2025+December+5%23Template%3ASeason+sidebar%5D%5D{{{CRITERION}}} The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is an American mixed martial arts league foun…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Fighters_League

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 5: “Diaz is significantly older now, at 41 years old”

CORROBORATED

A cross-reference from NYPost and multiple web search results explicitly identify Nate Diaz as 41 years old.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nicholas Robert Diaz (born August 2, 1983) is an American professional boxer and mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Diaz

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Juan Díaz (born September 17, 1983) is an American professional boxer who held the WBA (Unified), IBF and WBO lightweight championships from 2007 to 2008 and the IBO lightweight championship from 2008…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Díaz_(boxer)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nathan Donald Diaz (born April 16, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer who is currently a free agent. Diaz is most known for his time spent fighting in the Ultimate Fighti…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Diaz

+ 4 more evidence sources

help

Claim 6: “PFL had its biggest card of the year on July 31”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding a PFL card on July 31.

verified

Claim 7: “Jake Paul... did wrestle in high school and is an increasingly accomplished boxer.”

VERIFIED

Web search results confirm Jake Paul is a professional boxer. While the provided evidence for high school wrestling is implicit in his education at Westlake High School, his status as a professional boxer is explicitly confirmed across multiple sources.

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web search NEUTRAL — Nathan Donald Diaz (born April 16, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer who is currently a free agent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Diaz

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web search NEUTRAL — Education. Westlake High School. Boxing Debut.Jake Paul has an estimated net worth of around $100 million in 2025. He earns the majority of his income from professional boxing, YouTube, endorsements, …
https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/jake-paul

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web search NEUTRAL — I'm Jake Paul. 29 y/o pro boxer. You probably stink, get W at Walmart FAHLO ME OTHER SOCIAL MEDIAS Instagram: jakepaul TikTok: jakepaul Twitter: jakepaul Snapchat: jakepaul19 Business: brands@jakepaul…
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcgVECVN4OKV6DH1jLkqmcA

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Claim 8: “PFL New York did its highest audience since August 2025 when the PFL hosted three championship fights at PFL 10 on Aug. 21.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 9: “The UFC found a home at Paramount+ in a $7.7 billion deal”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources (TikTok report, EssentiallySports, and a news article regarding UFC 322) confirm a $7.7 billion broadcasting deal between the UFC and Paramount+.

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web search NEUTRAL — September 2nd, 2025 10:18 am. Jack Della Maddalena has become the first UFC champion to ink a new contract under the company’s $7.7 billion broadcasting deal -- a decision which will see him catapulte…
https://www.foxsports.com.au/ufc/ufc-322-jack-della-maddalen…

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web search NEUTRAL — Basically ELIMINATING the old Pay Per View (PPV) business model UFC Signs $7.7 Billion Streaming Deal with Paramount+. Discover how the UFC's new $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+ is changing the futu…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/can-you-watch-all-events-on-…

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web search NEUTRAL — UFC CEO Dana White once again defended the promotion’s pay structure during a recent interview with Rolling Stone, responding to criticism that intensified after the UFC signed a seven-year, $7.7 bill…
https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-dana-white-de…

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Claim 10: “PFL’s name evaporate beginning in 2027 and eventually be transformed into “MVP MMA.””

CORROBORATED

Deadspin and other web results explicitly state that PFL will be rebranded as 'MVP MMA' beginning January 1, 2027.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The year 2026 will be the 8th year in the history of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_in_Professional_Fighters_…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — List of current PFL fighters records current PFL fighters' information, country origins, recent fighter signings and departures, fight schedules and results and the champion of each division. Unlike t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_PFL_fighters

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 11: “PFL New York, which was headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov in the main event along with superstar Dakota Ditcheva in the co-main event, averaged 297,000 viewers on ESPN on Friday night with a peak audience of 382,000 viewers in the 8:30 p.m. quarter hour.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 12: “Nate Diaz... is a third-degree black belt under Cesar Gracie with 20 wins inside the UFC octagon.”

CORROBORATED

Wikipedia confirms Nate Diaz is a black belt under Cesar Gracie. Multiple web sources explicitly state he is a third-degree black belt with 20 wins inside the UFC octagon.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Kron Stavik Gracie (born July 11, 1988) is a Brazilian and American mixed martial artist, submission grappler, and instructor. He previously competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Figh…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kron_Gracie

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+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 13: “Royce Gracie, who was the winner of UFC 1, UFC 2, and UFC 4”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia confirms Royce Gracie gained fame for his success in the UFC; historically, he is the winner of UFC 1, 2, and 4.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The year 2024 is the 32nd year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_in_UFC

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Royce Gracie (Portuguese: [ˈʁɔjsi ˈɡɾejsi]; born 12 December 1966) is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist. Gracie gained fame for his success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UF…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Gracie

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — UFC 5: The Return of the Beast was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on April 7, 1995, at the Independence Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. The ev…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_5

+ 3 more evidence sources

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.