Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul aren’t stepping into the ring against each other anytime soon, but they’re happy to engage in a war of words.
The budding beef began when news broke that Paul needs a new matchup when upcoming Nov. 14 opponent Gervonta “Tank” Davis was pulled from their fight due to Davis recently being sued by an ex-girlfriend for battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Rumors swirled as to who Paul will end up fighting instead, with former UFC heavyweight champion and current PFL star Ngannou being among the names brought up.
However, Ngannou was quick to shoot down the suggestion, telling TMZ Sports, “No, there’s no such thing happening,” and adding, “Yes, they reached out the other day and told me how they need a replacement for Gervonta, and after I listened, I wasn’t getting it, and I said, ‘OK, what can I do for you?’ They said, ‘We’re looking for a replacement,’ but I still didn’t get it. ‘OK, what exactly can I do for you?’ He was like, ‘We are thinking about you to fight Jake to replace Gervonta.’ ‘Which Jake?’ I was so confused. I wasn’t expecting that at all.
“I’m like, ‘No, bro. Come on. Don’t disrespect me like that.’”
Paul didn’t take kindly to those comments and he took a shot at Ngannou on Twitter.
“Dear Francis,” Paul wrote. “Just say you already got humiliated in boxing and are scared to lose to Jake Paul. I accept that. You are light work my friend. Stuck in mud.”
Ngannou responded, “Choose your words wisely, boy. I agree that you need someone to discipline you for what you did to Mike Tyson, but stay in your lane.”
Paul kept the conversation going, telling Ngannou, “My lane helped your lane. I spoke up for you over and over again.” See Paul’s full reply below.
My lane helped your lane. I spoke up for you over and over again. No more. Look at yourself in the mirror. God don’t like ugly. Maybe the truth is you are a fake holier than thou actor, when it’s always been just about you. Maybe use your platform to speak on the youth of your country (posting a flag ain’t it), instead of doing tmz interviews like a con man to talk about me. Reality check…I sleep you in boxing and Jon Jones does in…
Ngannou has not fought in over a year since making his PFL debut in October 2024, when he defeated Renan Ferreira by first-round knockout. It was his first MMA contest since he defended the UFC heavyweight title in January 2022 before sitting out for a year and eventually being granted his unconditional release. One major reason Ngannou was dissatisfied with his UFC contract was inflexibility when it came to him pursuing boxing bouts.
Following his signing with PFL, Ngannou immediately dove into the deep end of boxing, matching up with longtime heavyweight king Tyson Fury in October 2023 and narrowly losing a split decision in a bout that saw him knock Fury down in the third round. A subsequent bout against British star Anthony Joshua ended poorly, with Ngannou losing by second-round knockout.
Paul is coming off of a decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., which followed a widely criticized matchup with boxing legend Mike Tyson, who Paul also defeated by decision. The Davis matchup, an exhibition, was marketed as Paul finally facing a world-class boxer in their prime, albeit one that was several weight classes smaller than him.
A new opponent for Paul is still to be announced, with a December date now being targeted.
Subscribe to my channel
