Sean O’Malley offers some tips to Jake Paul for his MMA debut

UFC bantamweight Sean O'Malley has given Jake Paul some advice for a successful MMA debut later this year in the PFL.

Paul sparked debate in the MMA community when he announced earlier this week that he had signed with the PFL. Later this year, he will make his MMA debut and aid in the emergence of the PFL's "Super Fight" division.

Paul will battle in what is likely the No. 2 MMA promotion despite having no prior MMA experience. Although he has some experience from professional boxing and high school wrestling, the adjustment to MMA will likely be his most difficult test to date.

Paul has already attracted a large number of possible opponents who are willing to face him in the PFL SmartCage. This includes Anthony Pettis, a former UFC champion who participated in the PFL postseason the year before.

“If he picks the right fights and literally just wrestle defense, I would even say don’t even train Jiu-Jitsu,” O’Malley said of Paul. “If you’ve got good takedown defense…he picked up boxing pretty quick. Some guys, just because they’re MMA fighters, doesn’t mean they’d whoop Jake. Jake’s got good boxing.

“Good takedown defense, learn how to check some kicks, that’d be important. If he fights a good wrestler they’ll take him down, but if he fights someone who’s like 6-3 who’s a kickboxer and doesn’t wrestle at all, there’s ways he can win.