Jake Paul did not need much time to find his next talking point after suffering the first stoppage loss of his boxing career. Just days after being knocked out by former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, Paul reignited crossover boxing chatter by calling out Francis Ngannou, questioning the former UFC champion’s chin and suggesting a fight could now be realistic.
The comments came during Paul’s first public interview since his sixth round loss to Joshua on a Netflix streamed event in Miami. While still recovering from a broken jaw that required surgery, Paul leaned into comparison, bravado, and the familiar tactic of reframing defeat as momentum.
A Loss That Sparked a New Callout
Jake Paul entered the Joshua fight as a massive underdog and ultimately paid the price. Joshua dropped him three times and closed the show in the sixth round, leaving little doubt about the gulf in experience and power between the two.
Still, Paul focused on one specific angle afterward. He lasted longer than Ngannou did against Joshua.
Ngannou was knocked out in the second round when he faced Joshua in March 2024, marking a harsh end to his short boxing run against elite heavyweights. Paul used that comparison as fuel during an appearance on the Impaulsive podcast.
I told everyone though, that I’d do better than Francis and that Francis kinda got no chin,” Paul said. Francis is low key soft. I’ll fight Francis. I think maybe now he’ll take it.
Revisiting Ngannou’s Boxing Detour
Ngannou’s name continues to carry weight in crossover discussions despite his mixed boxing results. After leaving the UFC in early 2023 following stalled contract negotiations, Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League in a deal that allowed him to pursue boxing on the side.
That freedom led to two massive opportunities. The first was a split decision loss to Tyson Fury in October 2023, a performance that briefly elevated Ngannou’s stock. The second was the Joshua fight, which ended abruptly and shifted perception.
While Ngannou cashed in financially, his boxing window appears to have narrowed. He returned to MMA in October 2024 with a first round stoppage win over Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut, reestablishing himself in the cage rather than the ring.
That context makes Paul’s callout intriguing but complicated.
History Between the Camps
Paul revealed that Ngannou was already approached as a potential replacement opponent before Joshua stepped in. Paul was initially scheduled to face Gervonta Davis in December, but the bout fell apart due to Davis’ legal issues.
According to Paul, Ngannou rejected the proposal outright and took offense at the suggestion.
With that in mind, Paul believes his performance against Joshua may have altered the equation.
I think maybe now he’ll take it and be like, ‘Oh, sh*t, Paul said.
Broken Jaw, Unbroken Confidence
Despite the physical toll of the Joshua fight, Paul appeared upbeat during his interview. He confirmed he underwent surgery that involved titanium plates and multiple screws but insisted the experience did little to dampen his enthusiasm for boxing.
I did have fun. I love this sport, Paul said. I love this job. It doesn’t even feel like a job. I had a blast in there. Win, lose or draw, this sport has done so much for me.
That outlook aligns with Paul’s broader approach to boxing. Losses have never deterred him from continuing. After losing a split decision to Tommy Fury in 2023, Paul returned with multiple wins and increasingly high profile matchups.
The Joshua loss may hurt his record, but it does little to diminish his visibility.
Does a Jake Paul vs Francis Ngannou Fight Make Sense?
From a competitive standpoint, the matchup raises questions. Ngannou remains an elite MMA heavyweight and carries significant power, but his boxing experience against top tier opposition ended badly. Paul, meanwhile, has built his career on carefully curated matchups and event driven spectacles.
From a business perspective, the fight is easy to sell. Both names resonate beyond their respective sports. Both have shared opponents. Both come with built in narratives of pride, redemption, and ego.
The obstacle is alignment. Ngannou is under contract with PFL, which has teased special plans for him in 2026. Paul operates independently through MVP Promotions. Any deal would require cooperation across promotional lines and clarity about rules, weight, and financial terms.
What Comes Next
For now, Jake Paul’s callout exists as words rather than negotiations. Ngannou has not publicly responded, and his focus appears to remain on MMA rather than another risky boxing venture.
Still, Paul has shown time and again that persistence and provocation often lead to opportunity. Whether Ngannou bites or not, the conversation itself keeps Paul relevant after a damaging loss.
And in the business of crossover combat sports, relevance is often the most valuable currency of all.
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