Team Paul vs. Team Diaz fight set for Dec. 18

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A rematch of a Bellator fight will take place on the undercard of the Dec. 18 Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury card.

Except it will be a boxing match.

Chris Avila vs. Anthony Taylor 2 has been signed for the card, set to take place at the Amelie Arena in Tampa, Fla., per sources. The eight-round bout will be contested at 168 pounds.

Avila, the former UFC fighter, lost a majority decision to Taylor at Bellator 238 in January 2020.

What makes the bout even more interesting is the fact that Avila is a protégé and training partner of UFC star Nathan Diaz, while Taylor is a friend and sparring partner of Paul’s.

Both Paul and Diaz have gone back and forth as of late, and could fight each other in the future.

So, it will be somewhat reminiscent of when Avila fought Conor McGregor training partner Artem Lobov on the undercard of McGregor vs. Diaz 2 at UFC 202 in August 2016, a fight which Avila lost via unanimous decision.

Avila is 0-1 as a boxer, with his lone pro fight happening in 2014. Meanwhile, Taylor is 2-2 inside the squared circle. His last loss was to Fury on the undercard of the Paul vs. Tyron Woodley event. Since then, he’s won two straight fights.

Avila’s MMA record is 7-9 (0-2 in the UFC), while Taylor’s is 7-5.

The event will air in the United States on Showtime PPV.