In an exciting turn of events, Nate Diaz has been extended an open invitation to step into the PFL SmartCage and face off against Jake Paul. PFL founder Donn Davis, who remains optimistic about the potential matchup, recently discussed the possibilities for his organization, including the highly anticipated clash between Diaz and "The Problem Child."

Speaking on The MMA Hour, Davis acknowledged that Diaz, like many fighters and entrepreneurs, operates on his own terms. However, Davis expressed his desire to create an attractive canvas for Diaz, stating, "Here's $15 million. Here's Jake. We have all the infrastructure at PFL and we're easy to work with."

The idea of an MMA contest between Diaz and Paul has been a subject of discussion for some time. During the buildup to their August 5 boxing match, Paul publicly challenged Diaz to meet him in the cage. Diaz, despite being offered a significant eight-figure sum by Paul's team, never committed to the idea. Nevertheless, both fighters have continued to engage in a war of words on social media.

In a previous appearance on The MMA Hour, Davis expressed his support for Paul, who is contracted to the PFL. This stance seemingly didn't sit well with Diaz, leading him to tweet some negative comments directed at Davis and the league.

However, Davis believes that his comments may have been misinterpreted. He clarified, "I think if [Diaz and his team] watch my entire comments, they'd be less upset." Davis emphasized his respect for Diaz and explained that the PFL is offering him more money out of respect for his stature as the people's champion.

While Diaz has yet to respond directly to the open invitation, the possibility of the fight remains intriguing for fans. Meanwhile, Paul is set to face boxer Andre August on December 15 in Orlando, Florida, in his next boxing match. Despite fans' hopes for a PFL appearance from Paul, Davis expects it to be in the fourth quarter of 2024 at the earliest. This timeframe accounts for Paul's need to properly prepare for his MMA debut, which he believes requires a year of training.

"Jake was always Q4 because for him to get good in his standards for an MMA fight that's legitimate worthy, he says he needs that year," Davis revealed. With Paul recently beginning his training in the SmartCage, the anticipated fight could potentially take place in October or December of 2024.

As the invitation lingers, fight enthusiasts eagerly await Diaz's decision. Will he accept the challenge and step back into the cage to face off against Paul? Only time will tell if this highly anticipated matchup becomes a reality.