Anthony Joshua’s last two knockout victims could find themselves on a collision course – if they both want it.
Francis Ngannou found himself in the interesting position of both fighting on a mixed martial arts (MMA) event promoted by Jake Paul and being challenged to a fight by the influencer. Both took place in the same setting during a Tuesday press conference for Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP’s) MMA debut, this coming May on Netflix.
During the presser, Paul was brought to the microphone stand in the crowd while Ngannou was posed with a question by host Ariel Helwani on whether he’d fight the influencer-turned cruiserweight contender.
“I’m not interested in fighting Jake Paul [in the ring],” Ngannou responded before clarifying the remark. “Listen I’m not done. I’m interested in beating his ass.”
For now, Ngannou – a former UFC heavyweight champion – will face Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Philipe Lins in a heavyweight bout scheduled for five rounds on a May 16 Netflix card from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Headlining the show, iconic MMA figures Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will meet in a five-round contest at a 145lbs catchweight.
The bout is the first in any discipline for Ngannou since October 2024, his one fight under Professional Fighters League (PFL). It came after two failed bids in the boxing ring. The first was a near-upset of then-unbeaten lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in October 2023. The other was his disastrous 2nd round knockout loss to Joshua in March 2024.
Paul, 12-2 (9 KOs) suffered his own crushing knockout defeat to England’s Joshua last December 19 on Netflix from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The fight was made after Paul was forced to cancel a November Netflix date when original opponent Gervonta Davis’ mounting legal issues forced the unbeaten boxer off the show.
Prior to agreeing to face Joshua, Paul openly challenged Ngannou – albeit to no avail.
“I’m down. I’m always down,” Paul said on the subject of facing the much larger Ngannou. “You were the option before Anthony Joshua and ran like a duck.
“I bet you didn’t think I’d last longer than Anthony. Just know you’d get worked in boxing. I’d love to see you [in the ring] some day.”
Ngannou had his own take on the negotiating tactics exhibited by Paul.
“You were just being a small boy – not understanding, being a little disrespectful,” insisted the 39-year-old Cameroonian. “That’s why I just want to kick your ass.
“I really didn’t want to fight you but now I really want to beat you. There is a difference. That’s why I made the statement I did – to just beat you up.”
“Let’s do it,” Paul replied.
Paul has not fought since the abovementioned defeat to Joshua, from which he suffered a broken jaw. He’s since underwent two surgeries to repair the fracture.
The first attempt didn’t take due to Paul not resting enough to allow the screws and plates to properly set. The second surgery on February 20 appeared to have done the trick, though he was limited in his speech on Tuesday and was not among the speakers for MVP’s launch press conference last Friday in New York City to announce its long-term boxing deal with ESPN.
