Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou doesn\u2019t just want to fight Jake Paul, but to teach the polarizing boxer a brutal lesson.<\/p>\n
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and polarizing boxer\/influencer Jake Paul used to be on cordial terms during their roles in the Professional Fighters\u2019 League. But mere years after both athletes joined the PFL, both recently parted ways, and things have taken a turn in their relationship in a hurry.<\/p>\n
Ngannou will make his Mixed Martial Arts return on May 16th at Paul\u2019s Most Valuable Promotions upcoming event, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano<\/a>. This will mark Ngannou\u2019s first MMA fight since finishing former PFL champion Renan Ferreira in October 2024.<\/p>\n Ngannou is laser-focused on his upcoming heavyweight opponent, Philipe Lins, ahead of his highly-anticipated return to the cage. But a potential boxing match with Paul remains an option on the table, after Ngannou turned down a short-notice bout against Paul last year.<\/p>\n Paul recently lost to Ngannou\u2019s former foe, Anthony Joshua, in the first TKO\/KO defeat of his boxing career. While Paul\u2019s combat sports return timeline remains unclear<\/a> following the loss to Joshua, he and Ngannou started to plant promotional seeds for a possible showdown.<\/p>\n WATCH: Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul trade barbs over potential boxing match: \u2018You ran!\u2019<\/p>\n Watch Ngannou and Paul trade barbs at the Rousey vs. Carano press conference below<\/a>.<\/p>\n Francis Ngannou: \u201cI\u2019m not interested in fighting Jake Paul, I\u2019m interested in beating his ass.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake Paul: \u201cI\u2019m down. You ran like a duck.\u201d<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/icGjG5RNiF<\/a><\/p>\n