Jake Paul is aiming to get back into the ring after experiencing the first knockout of his career, which left him with a broken jaw on December 19th. In a highly regarded March 2025 fight, Paul went six rounds with two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, who later knocked out Francis Ngannou in just two rounds. Paul celebrated outlasting Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champ, against Joshua.
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier criticized the idea of Paul facing Ngannou next, predicting another severe knockout loss for Paul. Despite past disagreements, Cormier acknowledged Paul’s progress but argued that Ngannou’s knockout power is a serious threat Paul may not handle well, stating that comparing boxing and MMA skills doesn’t add up.
Francis Ngannou hasn’t competed since knocking out Renan Ferreira in October 2024, marking his return to MMA after boxing matches with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Although a major fight was expected in 2025, it never materialized. Recently, after Vadim Nemkov became the new PFL Heavyweight Champion in December, Ngannou expressed his readiness for a fight, with talks ongoing for a potential match against Nemkov in early 2026.
Fan Take: This ongoing saga highlights the growing crossover between boxing and MMA, stirring excitement and debate among fight fans. How these matchups unfold could reshape the future dynamics of combat sports, blending styles and expanding the audience for both disciplines.
