Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Betting Tips: Prediction for crossover boxing fight

In the latest crossover boxing spectacle, everybody's favourite heel Jake Paul hunts for another MMA scalp to add to his collection when squaring off with UFC royal Nate Diaz on Saturday 5th August at the American Airlines Centre in Dallas, Texas.

February's defeat in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, provides Jake Paul with substantial motivation to nourish his lofty boxing ambitions. That split decision loss saw the internet-personality-turned-professional-boxer handed his first L, dampening some of the more audacious claims he's made during his ephemeral career so far.

Cult UFC hero Diaz's exit from the mixed-martial arts organisation felt destined to engineer his and Paul's meeting. The Stockton-born free agent, founder of this fight's co-promotion Real Fight Inc, expressed his desire to pursue professional boxing in the next phase of his 15+ year career, and from the moment that was public knowledge, the significant pay day offered up by the 26-year-old brother of Logan Paul was simply going to prove too sweet to ignore.

Scheduled for 10 rounds at a catchweight of 185lbs, the stakes are high for Jake Paul and his purported legacy. Consecutive blemishes on his CV - this time to a debutant in the sport - would threaten to derail any future prospects he may have beyond fighting those competing in boxing's influencer scene.

This contest demands that both men make a statement. For Jake Paul, it's about proving that he's still a credible operator in the sport. In Nate Diaz's case, he will want to make a good impression in his debut.

In the ring, Jake Paul is averaging a fight time of roughly 4.9 rounds. This outing marks the first time in his professional boxing career that he's been scheduled for 10 rounds, with the majority of his fights contested across eight.

Despite boasting four knockouts from his seven wins, none of Paul's opponents have possessed the hardiness of someone like Nate Diaz, nor will they have been as consistent with their output as the 38-year-old.

Unlike his counterpart, Diaz has never been about landing the big shots. His tactic has always been to persist with a series of accurate strikes which increase in volume the longer the fight goes. Now that he's wearing 10-ounce gloves, it's unlikely he'll carry the strength or speed to pose a serious threat to Jake Paul, however, that gradual wearing down of his opponent does offer a faint glimmer of a late knockdown or knockout of Paul due to over-exhaustion.

Both of "The Problem Child'"s last two fights - Anderson Silva and Tommy Fury - have lasted their full duration. That pledge to increase the fight's round count appears like a calculated move on Paul's part, but it's one that could easily backfire.

Operators have drawn the over/under rounds line at 7.5, going evens for either selection. We're choosing to side with this entering at least the eighth round given the fact that Nate Diaz has only been KO'd once during his 35-fight career - courtesy of a TKO stoppage by Josh Thomson following a deadly head kick, which even then, failed to put the Californian out cold.

The bet relies heavily on how well Diaz's heavily damaged face holds up given the significant scar tissue accumulated over numerous wars inside the octagon. Paul will be looking to flatten Diaz with that favourite overhand right of his, however, the veteran has suffered worse beatdowns than his particular counterpart here is likely to deliver. If he can avoid the doctor's intervention - which would only come from a substantial cut above his eye, impairing his vision - then this should land.

Diaz works at an exhausting pace. If he can make it to the later rounds of this fight then he'll frustrate and fatigue Jake Paul.

Nate is used to performing for longer and under harsher conditions. In a boxing ring, he'll be afforded more breaks and expected to scrap for shorter periods of time. That is promising for his improvement as the fight lengthens, and also decreases the chances of a doctor's stoppage with his corner men able to patch him up after just a few minutes each time.

Nate knows he isn't a power puncher, so you won't see him over-expending his energy in the earlier rounds. He'll use his upper body movement to make it difficult for Jake to land a clean shot, and rely on those latter stages as an opportunity to force critical errors from the 26-year-old.

In the later rounds of the Tommy Fury fight, Jake looked tired and continuously lunged at his opponent, using the same basic techniques which someone like Diaz will telegraph.

That really does make it anybody's fight between rounds 7-10. That being said, we expect the size and power of Jake Paul to earn him a victory over on the judges' scorecards; where three of his last four fights have been determined.