Jake Paul aims to resume boxing activity either by late this year or early next. The influencer-turned-pugilist sustained a severe double broken jaw in December 2025 during his heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua, a fight he lost by TKO in the sixth round after being knocked down four times by “AJ.”
Following the defeat, Paul immediately underwent surgery. To realign his fractured jaw, the 29-year-old had two titanium plates implanted and some teeth extracted. More recently, “The Problem Child” underwent a second jaw operation, and currently, he hasn’t been cleared for sparring. Despite this, he anticipates competing again by the end of this year or the beginning of next.
Speaking to the media after the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano press conference, Paul stated, “I expect to return later this year. I recently had my second surgery. Doctors advised a recovery period of four to six months before I can even spar, allowing time to monitor bone healing.”
Former Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou Challenges Jake Paul
Francis Ngannou, having recently departed from the PFL, is scheduled to make his MMA comeback on May 16. This event, hosted in a hexagonal cage, marks Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast and Jake Paul’s MVP’s inaugural MMA promotion. “The Predator” is set to face former UFC light heavyweight Philipe Lins in the co-main event. The card’s main attraction is a five-round featherweight bout between women’s MMA pioneers Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.
Previously, Ngannou had shown no interest in a boxing match with Paul, irrespective of potential financial incentives. However, “The Predator” has now reconsidered. At the Rousey vs. Carano press conference, Ngannou declared, “I’m not interested in fighting Jake Paul; I’m interested in beating his a*s… I believe you [Jake Paul] were acting like a small, disrespectful boy, not understanding, and that’s why I now want to kick your a*s. I genuinely didn’t want to fight you, but now I do.”
In response, Paul retorted, “I’m down. I’ve always been willing. You were always an option before Anthony Joshua, and you ‘ran like a duck,’ and I bet you didn’t think I’d last longer against Anthony than you did. So now you know I’m capable in boxing, and I’d love to see that fight happen someday… Let’s do it.”