Jake Paul is returning to boxing after his jaw-dropping loss to Anthony Joshua last December, but that return will not be broadcast on Netflix, according to multiple sources.
Paul and Netflix have collaborated several times, getting into bed for a massive Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, then following it up with Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3, the aforementioned Paul Vs. Joshua and this year’s MVP MMA 1 featuring Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
However, Paul’s recently announced comeback fight on Christmas Eve in Dubai will not be broadcast on Netflix. Erich Richter of the New York Post. While no opponent has yet been announced, former UFC contender Darren Till is the most likely choice according to many reports.
Isn’t Till a big enough opponent to justify a Netflix deal? Is Jake Paul’s star fading after his face was literally smashed last December? Those could be factors, but the biggest reason Netflix isn’t interested is this major changes within the company. After reports of stagnant growth coming from the company, Netflix chief Ted Sarandos slashed the head of the streaming company’s content division, firing chief content officer Bela Bajaria and chief film officer Dan Lin.
Bajaria has been MVP co-owner Nakisa Bidarian’s biggest ally at Netflix, ditching combat sports ads while the streamer restructures and lays out a plan to turn around its declining numbers.
The good news? Sports are widely seen as an area that Netflix could expand into, but it’s reportedly not happening fast enough to make Jake Paul’s Christmas dreams come true. Paul isn’t in bad shape, though, despite missing the biggest distribution opportunity of his fight.
Saudi Arabia is looking partners still agree to stage events in the country despite the war with neighboring Yemen and the re-escalation of the war with Iran. Paul seemed cut off from that revenue stream after Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Aalshikhi used his influence to cancel potential jake paul vs. Canelo Alvarez fight in February 2025. Paul’s move puts him back on the Saudi Arabia gravy train, making his Christmas fight a worthy business move regardless of where the fight ends up being broadcast.
