Carlos Barreto: Demian Maia Would Be Poor Choice for Jake Paul’s MMA Debut

It remains to be seen if or when Jake Paul will make his mixed martial arts debut, but there was one recent rumor involving the YouTube personality turned boxer that generated some discussion in the combat sports community.

Last week, BJJ World published a report from justbleedmma.com that Paul would be making his MMA debut against retired UFC welterweight contender Demian Maia. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace, who works now as UFC Fight Pass Brazil commentator, replied immediately.

“I´m totally in,” Maia wrote, while tagging Paul.

Carlos Barreto, who is Maia’s broadcast partner, analyzed the report on his Papo de Luta podcast.

“Demian is retired, but he keeps training hard. He is totally in shape,” Barreto said. “I dont think it's true just because I think it would be a terrible choice for Jake. Demian would grab him fast, get his back and submit him with a rear-naked choke. People must understand that it’s one thing for an MMA fighter to face a boxer in his discipline, but the opposite would be totally different.

“Jake is a smart guy. If he moves to MMA, he will probably face another boxer first. The two worst choices for him would be a top grappler, even being lighter like Demian, or a kickboxer that could [impede him with calf kicks]… MMA is the union of all fighting styles. That said, Demian would be a terrible choice for Jake's MMA debut, and I don’t think he would risk all that he has built in the boxing world, with all his merit, making a wrong choice for his MMA debut.”

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