The world of combat sports is buzzing with a potential new heavyweight collision. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou sent shockwaves through the boxing community by officially calling out Jake Paul. Speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, Ngannou admitted that while he wasn’t initially excited about the matchup, he now feels the need to “handle” the 29-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer. This call-out comes at a critical time for Paul, who has been sidelined since his brutal sixth-round knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua in December 2025, which left him with a double jaw fracture. With both fighters looking for a path back to redemption after losses to Joshua, a crossover clash seems more inevitable than ever.
“I Need To Handle Him”: Why Francis Ngannou Is Targeting Jake Paul Now?
Despite their business ties with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) organising Ngannou’s upcoming MMA bout, the respect between the two has reached a breaking point. Francis Ngannou told Sky Sports News that Paul’s recent “disrespectful” remarks about his boxing skills have forced his hand. Paul had previously dismissed Ngannou as a “terrible boxer” after his knockout loss to Joshua, claiming he could finish the Cameroonian even faster. Ngannou responded by saying,
“At first, I wasn’t so excited, but I think at some point I need to handle him. I think I can kick his ass if I might say so.”
For Ngannou, this is about reclaiming his credibility in the boxing ring after a disputed loss to Tyson Fury and a heavy defeat to AJ.
Jake Paul’s Road To Recovery: Will The Broken Jaw Stall The Ngannou Clash?
The biggest hurdle for this potential mega-fight is Jake Paul’s health. The American suffered a devastating injury on December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, when a thunderous right hand from Anthony Joshua broke his jaw in two places. Paul underwent successful surgery involving two titanium plates and had several teeth removed.
While Paul recently told TMZ Sports that he is “finally feeling healthy again,” he isn’t expected to return to full training until late 2026 or early 2027. Paul has mocked Ngannou for being knocked “unconscious” by Joshua, whereas he remained conscious despite the stoppage. This war of words over their shared opponent is fueling a rivalry that could break PPV records.
