Jake Paul defeats Nate Diaz

Jake Paul beat Nate Diaz by unanimous decision Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Diaz, the MMA star who was making his pro boxing debut, was the clear favorite of the announced sellout crowd. But the cheers had little impact on the outcome in the 10-round showdown between the 26-year-old Paul and 38-year-old Diaz.

The judges scored it 97-92, 98-91 and 98-91.

Paul, who knocked Diaz down in the fifth round, said he was sure he’d won the fight on the judges’ cards and thought Diaz won only one round.

"Although he’s a warrior, you know? I had him hurt in the first round, he kept on coming and no one’s taken that much damage," Paul said.

Paul proved to be not only younger but stronger — and a more skilled boxer.

“He’s real tough,’’ Paul said of Diaz. “That’s what he’s known for. But tough in this sport doesn’t work.”

With the victory, Paul improved to 7-1 while bouncing back from his first defeat — a loss to Tommy Fury by split decision in February.

“It’s tough. I wish I could’ve done better and did better things. …But it’s all good," Diaz said.