Francis Ngannou has admitted a fight with Jake Paul is now firmly in his plans after the YouTube star called him out for a boxing bout.
Paul’s promotional company, MVP, is organising Ngannou’s big MMA return against Philipe Lins on May 16, and ‘The Problem Child’ used the launch press conference to issue a verbal challenge to the former UFC heavyweight champion.
Ngannou said he had not previously considered Paul as a future opponent, but now expects a return to boxing for a grudge fight. “At first, I wasn’t so excited [about fighting him],” Ngannou told Sky Sports News. “I wasn’t looking into that, but I think at some point I need to handle him. I think I can kick his ass, if I might say so.”
Ngannou returned to MMA after suffering a second-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in 2024. Paul is recovering after sustaining a broken jaw in a six-round stoppage loss against Joshua in December.
“Of course [I respect him as a boxer],” Ngannou added, noting he has followed Paul’s career from the start when many doubted him and saying Paul proved he was serious.
Ngannou, who faces Lins on the Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano undercard at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, has also shared the ring with Tyson Fury, dropping the Brit in the third round before losing a hotly disputed points decision.
With Fury and Joshua expected to finally meet, Ngannou offered his view on the outcome: “We’ve been waiting for that fight for almost 10 years now, so finally it has happened. At this level, I think it’s very close. Anybody can win. It depends on how the fight goes. I think if it’s going to go to a decision, I will pick Fury. If it’s a knockout, I think Joshua has a chance early. But I think the fight is well in Fury’s favour.”