Jake Paul eyes cruiserweight return or Ngannou fight in 2026

Jake Paul plans to return to the ring at cruiserweight before the end of 2026, though a heavyweight clash with Francis Ngannou remains on the table, according to his Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian.

The 29-year-old has been out of action since Anthony Joshua stopped him in the sixth round last December, a loss that left Paul with a broken jaw requiring two titanium plates and dental work. The defeat also knocked him out of the WBA's cruiserweight rankings, but Bidarian told BBC Sport that Paul is targeting the 200-pound division for his comeback.

Ngannou fight still possible after recent trash talk

Bidarian said cruiserweight is the focus "outside of a potential boxing match against Francis Ngannou," whose resume includes back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury and Joshua in 2023 and 2024. The former UFC champion faces Philipe Lins on the undercard of Ronda Rousey's return fight in May, an MVP-promoted event where Paul called Ngannou a duck at the March presser. Ngannou fired back: "I really didn't want to fight you, but now I want to beat you."

Bidarian confirmed Paul has recently returned to training after the extended recovery from his jaw surgery. "I saw pictures of him back in the gym with his boxing coach yesterday," he said. "I know he has a desire to be back in 2026."

Paul's camp is also eyeing an MMA debut against the winner of Nate Diaz versus Mike Perry, both of whom he has beaten in boxing. Bidarian said Paul would need six to eight months of concentrated cage training, particularly in jiu-jitsu, though his high school wrestling background gives him a base. Paul stopped Diaz in a 2023 boxing match and knocked out Perry last year, but Diaz has pushed for an MMA rematch.

Source: bbc.com