Nate Diaz vs. Jake Paul Preview, Odds, Best Betting Promos

Nothing like a good news conference brawl to drum up interest in a boxing match.

That’s what happened Thursday as the security teams for Nate Diaz and Jake Paul mixed it up. Usually something happens as the combatants go nose-to-nose. In this case, it was the security teams briefly throwing hands.

Diaz and Paul were going through the normal preflight tough-guy routines — flexing, squaring off, talking smack. As the fighters left the stage, there was a brief period of pushing and shoving between the security teams. There were about 20-25 people involved. No one looked to be seriously injured and no one was arrested.

While that kind of pre-fight nonsense is common, the fight itself isn’t. But it’s certainly unique.

Diaz, 38, has never boxed. He is a UFC fighter who will make his boxing debut in this match at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Diaz has never gone 10 rounds, the scheduled length of the bout.

Paul’s rise has been astounding. The YouTube star, 26, made his boxing debut less than four years ago. On Saturday, he is the favorite against Diaz. Paul is 6-1 with four knockouts. He lost his last bout by split decision to Tommy Fury, brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Diaz is 22-13 with 5 KOs in MMA. He said this week he plans to return to the UFC after this bout.

For those interested in placing a bet or two, Paul is the favorite at -400. Diaz is +310. Oddsmakers set the over/under on rounds at 7.5. It’s -115 on both ends. Caesars (bet here) had Paul -380.

Bet MGM offers fight-length props (among dozens of props). Bet $5 and get $150 Instant payout with the DraftKings promo here.

• 1-5 rounds, +200
• 6-10 rounds, +150
• Full distance, +150

Here are some victory prop bets offered by DraftKings, where you can place a wager:

• Paul by decision/TKO, +350
• Paul by KO/TKO/disqualification, -150
• Diaz by decision/technical decision, +750.
• Diaz by KO/TKO/disqualification, +500.

The 185-pound fight will air on DAZN PPV and ESPN+ PPV, with the full card beginning at 8 p.m.