Oleksandr Usyk is regarded as one of the most complete boxers in the heavyweight division. This reputation has led many to believe he could also shine in mixed martial arts, fueling speculation about a crossover fight in the near future.

Reports suggest that a match against UFC great Jon Jones could be an option if Usyk ever decides to try MMA. While Jake Paul has also been linked to a crossover fight against Usyk, the Ukrainian’s team has largely dismissed that scenario for the time being.

“A fight with Jake Paul in MMA at this stage is not being considered,” Team Usyk’s Sergey Lapin told Casinostugan (via The Mirror). “But we are always open to creative and interesting collaborations in the future. If we are talking about crossover fights, a very interesting matchup could be against Jon Jones in the United States. The best heavyweight in MMA against one of the best boxers of his generation could become a very big event if organized properly. Who is the baddest man on the planet?”

Jake Paul needs a recovery fight

Last December, Jake Paul faced Anthony Joshua in his toughest challenge to date. The influencer stepped into the ring against a former world champion who was clearly the superior boxer.

In the sixth round, Anthony Joshua knocked Jake Paul out to secure the win. The British star landed a punch that caused a double fracture in Paul’s jaw, raising questions about the YouTuber’s capacity to compete at the heavyweight level.

Jake Paul has indicated that he wants to fight again; however, he likely needs a “recovery” bout to rebuild his confidence. This would involve facing another influencer or a boxer who is not at the same elite level as Joshua.

Reports suggest that while Paul wants a rematch against Joshua, his next fight will likely not be that one. A second bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or Tommy Fury is reportedly on the table, as he needs a win to continue building his name in the boxing industry.

On December 19, Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul via a dominant knockout victory in which the Briton fractured the influencer’s jaw. Ten days later, he was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami.

Now, Joshua has returned and is ready for his next test. Many are wondering who his next rival will be, with a rematch against Jake Paul on the table due to the YouTuber’s thirst for revenge.

Is Anthony Joshua going to fight Jake Paul again?

Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua have been training together ahead of their respective returns to the ring. The Ukrainian is set to make his WBC heavyweight title defense against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026, in Egypt.

On the other hand, Anthony Joshua—who was trained by Usyk for the Jake Paul bout—is scheduled to fight again in July. However, reports suggest that a rematch against the influencer is not his priority right now.

When Joshua defeated Paul, it was clear that the influencer was not at the same level as the Briton, whose punches heavily injured Paul by causing a double fracture to his jaw to end the fight.

Tyson Fury remains an option for Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury, another heavyweight star, has been strongly linked to a potential bout against Anthony Joshua. The ‘Gypsy King’ is set to return from retirement to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, 2026, and Joshua could be his next challenge.

Fury recently stated that he wants to face Joshua, but he must first defeat Makhmudov. If he is successful, the British star would be the clear choice for his next test.

Some fans thought Paul might retire after the loss, which left him with a 12-2 record as a professional. Instead, he and his team are focused on making a strong return. The Most Valuable Promotions co-founder confirmed that Paul’s comeback is planned for the second half of 2026.

“He wants to come back,” Bidarian told Sky Sports. “He’s asking me to start negotiating some fights. Anywhere from August to November, you can expect Jake Paul back in the boxing ring. I want him to fight in the UK. That’s what I would love to see.”

Focus on recovery and preparation

Paul’s team is using the months ahead to ensure he fully recovers from his jaw injury and can train effectively. The goal is to put him in a strong position for a high-profile fight and give fans a chance to see him compete at his best.

He is also looking for the right opponent. Paul has shown he performs well in big fights, attracting attention from fans and media alike. The team wants to carefully plan his next matchup to maximize impact.

Tommy Fury rematch could be next

Ideally, Paul wants a rematch with Tommy Fury, who handed him his first professional loss in 2023. Bidarian highlighted that Paul has grown as a fighter and is ready to prove himself.

“I would love for that fight to happen because it’s a good measure of how far Jake has come,” Bidarian said. “There was more internet interest in Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury in the UK than any Tyson Fury fight over the past five years, and even more than any Jake Paul fight besides Mike Tyson. If we could do it in the UK or Europe, fans would go crazy.”

Leading into the fight, Jake Paul had some early success, landing several punches in the opening rounds. However, Joshua’s experience soon took over, and the former heavyweight champion dominated the latter half of the bout, highlighting the significant skill gap between the two fighters.

White, speaking to Complex News, expressed disbelief that the fight was sanctioned at all. “It’s crazy that that fight was even allowed to happen. Crazy,” he said. The UFC President emphasized that while Paul has an impressive record in his 14 professional bouts, facing an Olympic gold medalist and two-time heavyweight champion was a clear mismatch.

Was Jake Paul set up for failure against Joshua?

White criticized the decision to even stage the fight, noting the inherent risk and disparity in experience. “To even comment on it, I think everybody that was involved in that thing should be embarrassed, number one. And number two, it’s just not what I am into,” he said.

Despite the loss, White acknowledged that Paul could continue fighting as long as the audience and promoters support him. “I mean, I don’t know. As long as people keep wanting to pay and watch him fight, I guess he can keep doing it. It’s just not what I do,” White added.

Paul’s recovery

Following the defeat, Paul suffered a broken jaw and remains in recovery, currently suspended from competition. Joshua’s dominant performance reinforced his standing as one of boxing’s elite, while Paul faces uncertainty about his future in professional boxing.

Jake Paul, who fought Joshua on December 19th, popped up on his social networks to send a heartfelt message to both the fighters and all parties involved. After all, rivalries are settled in the ring. “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident,” Paul wrote on X.

According to BBC Sport, the 36-year-old boxer was driving on the Ogun-Lagos state expressway. The car crash left Joshua dealing with some minor injuries, but reports state he is “fine.” According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Lexus SUV where Joshua was travelling was going in excess of the speed limit, and lost control trying to overtake another vehicle. Joshua was in the rear of the car.

A few days ago, Joshua was putting on a show for the world to see

Just ten days ago, Joshua and Paul were involved in one of the most-watched boxing bouts of all time. Joshua found some early struggles, but with the ring rust gone, he started to push the pace and was able to knock Paul out with a straight right in the sixth round.

Paul, who is usually a very controversial figure, left his polarizing ways, and sent a heartfelt message to his former rival. This goes to show that rivalries are not meant to last. Life goes beyond what happens in the sport. Joshua will thankfully recover from the minor injuries suffered.

Joshua has massive fights on the horizon

It’s time to see if Joshua will take extra time off after this to get back in the ring or not. However, Joshua has massive fights -and paydays- on the horizon. A British superfight against legend Tyson Fury is on the works.

Joshua has a 29-4 record with 26 knockouts. As for Fury, he has a 34-2 record with 24 KOs to his name. The rumored pay for Joshua on this bout will be north of $50 million. Hence, it’s a massive opportunity for him.

As the rounds progressed, Joshua’s dominance became clear. The former champion landed 48 punches to Paul’s 16 and recorded three knockdowns in the sixth, ultimately breaking Paul’s jaw. Despite the dramatic outcome, Joshua remained measured when discussing Paul’s punching ability in the aftermath.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Joshua offered a succinct three‑word assessment: “It was alright.” He acknowledged that his own performance “could have been better” but focused on the result, adding, “We got there in the end.”

Did Jake Paul feel Joshua’s power?

Jake Paul also shared his perspective on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast. Reflecting on the fight, he said, “He was imposing his will on me and being massive, and the big shots landing, it goes downhill from there.” He described the jaw injury as “like a baseball in there. Four titanium plates. How many do you have?” Logan replied, “Just one.”

Despite the brutal outcome, Paul admitted the experience was valuable: “It’s a great experience overall to be in there with somebody that’s that good. I learned a lot.”

What comes next for both fighters?

Both fighters showed mutual respect after the bout, signaling that lessons were taken from the matchup. Joshua’s decisive performance reinforced his standing in the heavyweight division, while Paul gained insight into elite-level boxing.

Paul, 28, shared a heartfelt update with fans, tweeting: “God is great. Broken jaw, but brain and spine all clear. Never been more motivated. Merry Christmas to all around the world. Never stop trying to be great. You are guaranteed 100% failure if you don’t try.”

While McGregor initially agreed with Paul’s message, he added a sharp jab of his own. “Indeed! God is great! Enjoy your Christmas smoothies, bro,” McGregor wrote in a tweet that he later deleted, mocking Paul’s recovery diet after the brutal loss against Joshua.

Will McGregor step back into the Octagon soon?

The former dual-weight UFC champion hasn’t fought since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. However, McGregor is preparing for a comeback, targeting the UFC White House card on June 14, 2026.

Who could be McGregor’s next opponent?

Michael Chandler has long pursued a bout with McGregor and is currently considered the frontrunner to welcome him back to MMA. UFC CEO Dana White is expected to finalize the White House card in February, which will reveal McGregor’s opponent and the full lineup for the historic event.

Friday’s bout was the first step in what Joshua hopes will be a renewed campaign at heavyweight. With talks of a potential showdown against Tyson Fury next year, the question remains: how will Joshua rebuild momentum and choose the right path to that anticipated clash?

Promoter Eddie Hearn has outlined the plan, emphasizing the importance of carefully selecting Joshua’s next opponent to prepare him for Fury without unnecessary risk.

When will Anthony Joshua fight next?

According to Hearn on The Ariel Helwani Show, Joshua is aiming for a return in February 14, though the fight could be pushed to mid-March due to the demands of his recent training camp. “We are moving forward with our plan now with His Excellency, that would be a fight in February/March, then hopefully fight Tyson Fury,” Hearn explained.

The promoter stressed the need for a strategically chosen opponent, one who can help Joshua regain rhythm and confidence in the ring without compromising his preparation for the larger challenge ahead.

Joshua’s potential opponents

Hearn acknowledged speculation around a bout with former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven, stating: “Rico is a fight that has been mentioned by certain people. Ultimately, we will field offers. We could do with a fight that’s going to prepare us for Tyson Fury. That’s quite a difficult thing to do, style-wise.”

He added that while Verhoeven has generated interest, Joshua may face a different opponent who better serves as a preparatory step toward Fury. “We might look at other opponents [besides Verhoeven], but we’re open at the moment. We’re in a wonderful position,” Hearn said.

Joshua’s next fight will not be against Fury early next year, partly because Fury is scheduled to fight in April and would likely not accept an opening-quarter bout with Joshua. Hearn confirmed that delaying until September would be unnecessary, as Joshua seeks to maintain momentum from his victory over Paul.

Despite entering the bout as a heavy underdog, Paul showed early composure against the former heavyweight champion. He landed several clean shots and managed distance well in the opening rounds, momentarily disrupting Joshua’s rhythm before the physical gap between the two fighters became decisive.

By the later rounds, however, fatigue set in. Joshua imposed his size and power, scoring a knockdown in the fifth before forcing a stoppage one round later. Paul later revealed he drove himself to the hospital after the fight, where he was diagnosed with a double broken jaw.

Is conditioning what ultimately failed Jake Paul?

Speaking on his brother’s Impaulsive podcast, Paul pointed to preparation—not courage or skill—as the decisive factor. “I should have gone to altitude to train, that was my biggest mistake,” Paul admitted, explaining that his stamina faded once Joshua began pressing forward. “I needed that extra level of cardio for this.”

Paul also revealed that his camp was far from ideal. He had just three weeks to prepare, was forced to add weight rapidly, and dealt with illness during the buildup. “He was imposing his will on me… once those big shots land, it goes downhill from there,” Paul said.

What comes next for Paul after the setback?

Despite the loss, Paul remains committed to boxing. He confirmed plans to return in 2026 once his jaw fully heals, shifting his focus back to opponents closer to his natural weight class. “With better cardio, I could’ve kept fighting,” he said, adding that the experience reinforced both his respect for elite fighters and his desire to improve.

In his final fight of the year, Paul was knocked out by Joshua in the sixth round. The powerful right hand from the British heavyweight caused significant damage, forcing Paul to undergo immediate surgery—a setback few fighters are able to overcome.

During an interview with his brother, Logan Paul, Jake was asked directly whether retirement was now on the table. While he admitted the loss came as a major shock, Paul made it clear that stepping away from boxing is not something he’s considering at this time.

Jake Paul shuts down retirement talk after Joshua loss

Appearing on the Impaulsive podcast on Tuesday, Paul confirmed that he plans to take time off to fully recover from his jaw injury. He also shared that he intends to use the break to support his fiancée, Olympic speed skater Jutta Leerdam, as she prepares for the 2026 Winter Games.

“I’m gonna take some time off to go support Jutta at the Olympics,” Paul said. “Then, she’s gonna move to Puerto Rico, move her here. Maybe go snowboarding or something.”

At the moment, Paul does not have a fight scheduled for 2026. His immediate focus remains on rehabilitation, after which he will evaluate potential opponents before making his return to the ring.

Is a fight with Canelo Alvarez still possible?

For years, Jake Paul has publicly called out Canelo Alvarez, though the Mexican superstar has consistently dismissed the idea. However, the situation could change heading into 2026.

Alvarez was reportedly set for a rematch with Terence Crawford, but the American has since retired from boxing. That development could open the door for a potential exhibition bout with Paul—though any talks would ultimately depend on Paul’s health and his decision to continue boxing.

Despite the decisive outcome, speculation about the legitimacy of the fight quickly circulated online. Critics claimed the bout was “fixed” due to Joshua’s status as the far superior boxer, arguing he should have ended the fight earlier. These allegations have followed Paul throughout his career, often sparking heated debates across social media.

Speaking to Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show” on Monday, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian addressed the claims directly. “Our lawyers are actively going after a number of people,” Bidarian said, emphasizing that legal action is being pursued against those spreading false narratives about the fight.

Legal action underway against critics

Bidarian shared examples of posts alleging the fight was staged, including one that claimed Joshua had agreed not to knock out Paul but then disregarded the supposed arrangement.

Though he did not specify all individuals involved, Bidarian referenced promoter Lou DiBella, who publicly questioned the fight’s authenticity. “Lou DiBella… said, ‘Nakisa, go ahead and sue me, but this wasn’t a real fight. [Joshua] was pulling punches, he wasn’t giving it his full effort,’” Bidarian said.

Maintaining the integrity of the fight

Despite the controversy, Bidarian stressed that the allegations are unfounded and that Paul’s bout with Joshua was entirely legitimate. “There’s never once in Jake Paul’s career been any talk of that sort of [thing], anything to do with the fight being anything but a real fight. That’s exactly the same situation as any real fight,” he said.

The bout marked only the second loss of Paul’s career and the first via stoppage, while Joshua rebounded strongly from his previous defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.