Jake Paul eyes cruiserweight return or Ngannou fight in 2026

Jake Paul is targeting a return to boxing at cruiserweight before the end of the year, though a heavyweight matchup against Francis Ngannou remains on the table, according to his business partner at Most Valuable Promotions.

Paul has been out of action since breaking his jaw in a sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December. The defeat dropped the 29-year-old out of the WBA's cruiserweight rankings, but MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian told BBC Sport that Paul's primary focus remains the weight class. "I think his focus is on cruiserweight, outside of a potential boxing match against Francis Ngannou," Bidarian said. "His goal is to return before year-end."

Ngannou fight stems from March news conference exchange

Paul called out Ngannou at a March press event in Los Angeles, saying the former UFC heavyweight champion ran from him "like a duck". Ngannou, who fights Philipe Lins on the undercard of Ronda Rousey's MMA comeback on 16 May, fired back that he now wants to beat Paul. The 39-year-old Cameroonian has twice stepped into the boxing ring, dropping close decisions to Tyson Fury in 2023 and Joshua in 2024.

Bidarian confirmed Paul has resumed training after undergoing surgery to fit two titanium plates and remove teeth damaged in the Joshua bout. "I saw pictures of him back in the gym with his boxing coach yesterday," Bidarian said. Paul also remains interested in MMA, with the winner of Nate Diaz versus Mike Perry on the Rousey-Carano undercard presenting a potential crossover opponent. Paul holds boxing wins over both Diaz and Perry but has discussed an MMA rematch with Diaz.

Bidarian said Paul would need six to eight months of dedicated MMA training to make the transition, leaning on his high school wrestling background while rapidly developing his jiu-jitsu. No date or opponent has been confirmed for Paul's return to the ring.

Source: bbc.com