Reports indicate that Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has secured a deal with Francis Ngannou, the ex-UFC heavyweight champion, for an upcoming mixed martial arts contest. Since his departure from the UFC, Ngannou has had one MMA fight with PFL and two professional boxing matches, squaring off against notable heavyweights like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Widely regarded as one of the most intimidating figures in combat sports, Ngannou consistently draws significant fan attention. Recent news of his release from PFL had sparked considerable speculation about his future endeavors.
It has now been confirmed that Ngannou will face Philipe Lins on May 16th. This fight will be the co-main event on MVP’s inaugural MMA card, with Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano topping the bill.
The event is slated for the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on Netflix. Prior to his highly anticipated return, Ngannou shared insights into his long-term aspirations within the fight world.
Ngannou Teases Potential Showdown with Jake Paul
Over the last few years, Jake Paul has transitioned from a prominent YouTube personality to a professional boxer, challenging several notable names. His past opponents include figures like Nate Diaz and Anderson Silva.
Notably, Francis Ngannou was reportedly offered a fight against Paul prior to Paul’s finalized bout with Anthony Joshua. However, the former UFC champion reportedly turned down the proposition then, believing the match-up was below his stature.
Current circumstances, however, suggest a change in perspective. Ngannou’s new association with MVP has intensified rumors of a potential confrontation with Paul. The Cameroonian athlete himself implied that a clash with Paul could now be a much more tangible prospect.
Ngannou explicitly stated, “MVP is the promoter, so who knows, maybe this means I’m one step closer to knocking out Jake Paul too.”
Meanwhile, Paul’s last appearance was a knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua, a loss that reportedly resulted in a double jaw fracture and has since postponed his re-entry into the boxing ring.
While no official confirmation has been made, a future encounter between Paul and Ngannou remains a distinct possibility, should conditions permit.