The feud between Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou came to a head when they met face-to-face earlier this week.
Since his UFCdeparture, ‘The Predator’ has been building his name value with short ventures into boxing and the PFL. A losing performance against Tyson Fury was a turning point in Ngannou’s career, resulting in a significant boost to his fanbase.
Love him or hate him, Jake Paul knows how to garner attention and has done so many times throughout his time in boxing. Now, after a confrontation with Francis Ngannou, Paul has provided the former UFC heavyweight champion the chance of a lifetime: to add to his own post-UFC legacy and make millions doing it, all by fighting a YouTuber.
“What did you dream of when Anthony [Joshua] slept you?” Paul asked Ngannou during an encounter. “So, you were having dreams on the canvas there when you were unconscious? That’s crazy.”
Francis Ngannou suffered a hype-haltering second-round knockout at the hands of British boxing superstar Anthony Joshua when they collided in early 2024.
Jake Paul would later go on to face Joshua, whom he managed to survive six rounds with. Despite losing, Paul took the opportunity to promote himself as the better boxer during his conversation with Ngannou.
“So, yeah. I know you’re not a boxer. So, the first rule of boxing is hit and don’t get hit,” Paul continued. “Yeah. You use your footwork. I’m not like a big clunky guy like you, stuck in sand.”
After the pair traded barbs, Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou shook hands on a potential boxing match in the near future.
“Let’s find out,” Paul said as he all but confirmed a boxing match against Ngannou. “100% ready. And we’re going to find out who the better boxer is. Let’s do it. Welcome to the show, buddy.”