Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz Boxing Rematch: Worth It?

Updated: October 2026

The Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz rematch debate refuses to go away. More than two years after Paul's unanimous-decision win on August 5, 2023, in Dallas, fans keep asking: should they run it back? The timing is no accident — Paul was cleared to return in early October 2026 after his broken jaw against Anthony Joshua, and Diaz's name sits on Paul's viral "Before I rest..." wish list on X.

Reality check first: as of October 2026, no Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz rematch has been announced. Everything below is analysis of a hypothetical — what the first fight told us, why the sequel keeps getting mentioned, and whether it would be worth your Saturday night. All predictions are opinion.

What Happened in Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz 1

The first fight was a professional boxing match, and it went the distance. Paul won by unanimous decision, banking rounds with the sharper, more disciplined boxing of the two. His jab and right hand did the scoring early, and for long stretches he looked like the more polished boxer — which, given the size of the stage and the experience gap people expected, surprised plenty of skeptics.

Diaz, to his credit, did what Diaz always does: absorbed punishment, marched forward, and made the late rounds uncomfortable with pressure and volume. That closing image — Diaz surging while Paul survived — is the entire foundation of the rematch argument.

Why the Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz Rematch Talk Won't Die

Rematch chatter usually fades when a decision is clear. This one hasn't, for a few reasons:

• Paul put Diaz on the wish list himself. His October 2026 "Before I rest..." post on X named Diaz among the opponents he still wants. When a fighter volunteers the name, fans listen.
• The first fight felt unfinished to Diaz's fans. A clear decision is still a decision, but Diaz's late rally gave his supporters a "what if there were more rounds?" talking point that never fully died.
• Both men are proven needle-movers. Whatever you think of either fighter's boxing credentials, a Paul–Diaz sequel would sell. In a sport driven by pay-per-view math, that matters enormously.
• Comebacks need dance partners. Returning from a knockout loss and a broken jaw, Paul's team will want a meaningful but manageable first step back — and Diaz fits that bill.

The Case for a Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz Rematch

Start with the competitive logic. Paul has improved measurably since 2023 — his wins over Mike Tyson (November 2024) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (June 2025) showed better patience, a steadier jab, and real body work. A rematch would test whether those improvements hold up against the one style that has consistently troubled him: relentless, iron-chinned pressure.

Then there's the storyline. Paul's last image in a ring is the sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in Miami — a jaw broken in two places, two surgeries. A return against a famous, durable, fan-favorite opponent he has already beaten is the textbook confidence rebuild. For Diaz, it's a shot at revenge on an even bigger stage.

The Case Against a Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz Rematch

The counterargument is simple: Paul already won. Clearly. There is no controversy to settle, no disputed scorecard, no unfinished business in the competitive sense. Rematches of decisive fights rarely deliver the drama of the original — the sequel usually confirms what the first fight already told us.

There's also opportunity cost. Paul's wish list is stacked: Wilder, Canelo, McGregor, Ngannou. At 12-2 with 7 knockouts across 14 fights, he's at the stage where legacy-defining fights matter more than victory laps. Spending a camp on an opponent he already beat — instead of chasing the world-title shot that sits last on his own wish list — could look like treading water.

Finally, the risk is asymmetric: beating Diaz again adds a résumé line; losing erases the first win's value entirely.

How Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz 2 Could Play Out (Our Take)

Opinion only — this fight is not scheduled. The tactical picture would look familiar but sharper. Paul would fight the same disciplined fight — jab, right hand, movement, body shots — and the version who outboxed Chavez Jr. is better equipped for it than the 2023 version was. Diaz's path is unchanged: walk through the early storm and drown Paul in volume late. Our lean: Paul by decision again, probably wider — but Diaz would make him earn every minute, and the late rounds would be must-watch TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has a Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz rematch been announced?

No. As of October 2026, no rematch between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz has been announced. Diaz appears on Paul's "Before I rest..." wish list, but that is a statement of interest, not a scheduled fight.

Who won the first Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz fight?

Jake Paul won by unanimous decision on August 5, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.

Why do fans want a rematch if Paul already won?

Diaz's strong finish in the first fight left his supporters believing a sequel could look different. Combined with Paul's return from injury and Diaz's enduring popularity, the demand has stayed alive.

Who would win a Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz rematch?

In our opinion, Paul would be the favorite based on the first result and his development since 2023. But Diaz's durability and pressure make him a live underdog, especially in the later rounds.

The bottom line: a Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz rematch isn't the most important fight Paul could take — but it might be the smartest for this moment. Coming off a brutal knockout and a rebuilt jaw, he needs a high-profile, winnable fight against a name fans care about. Diaz checks every box. As a comeback vehicle, it's close to perfect; as a legacy move, it's a sideways step.