When asked about the timing of the announcement during the post-event press conference, Paul said White was an “insecure little boy.” Then, he said of White and the UFC, “The c*kehead is back! Nice. Cool. Doesn’t matter. Just shows how pressed they are.”

Paul and White have been beefing for a long time now. Paul didn’t like that White blocked his attempt to fight McGregor. Then, he came after White for fighter’s pay, and now he put an MMA event just to compete with the UFC.

Dana White killed two birds with one stone

White has beef with both Ngannou and Paul. Hence, by announcing the Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway fight during Ngannou’s walkout, he managed to anger both, Ngannou and Paul. Ngannou even responded to a question regarding that topic in an expletive manner.

White was a step ahead from both and managed to capture the spotlight both before the fight and on both press conferences. Chess not checkers by the UFC president against two of his modern rivals.

Why did White not do it on the main event?

While it’s just a theory, the fact is that many realize that Dana White didn’t do it amid the Ronda Rousey fight because they are still both really close friends. Hence, the theory states that White didn’t want to harm Rousey’s spotlight, but he was more than willing to do it vs. Ngannou.

“Canelo, I have the $200 million for you, easy money. Jake vs Canelo, let’s get it done,” Paul said during a recent livestream. “This is the biggest fight in boxing.” He also suggested the Mexican star is open to the idea after previous discussions.

The comments have sparked debate because Paul is still rebuilding his boxing career after a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua earlier this year. Many also question whether a sanctioning body would approve such a fight due to the large gap in experience between the two fighters.

WBC president reacts to growing fight rumors

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman responded to the speculation, saying the organization has not received any official request for sanctioning. Still, he acknowledged Paul’s recent step-up in competition has changed how some view him.

“We have not received a request for sanctioning,” Sulaiman said via SPORTbible. “Jake Paul proved himself by fighting Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua.” He added that Paul has earned some respect by facing tougher opponents, but did not confirm whether a Canelo fight would be approved.

Canelo remains the major target

A fight with Canelo would be the biggest test of Paul’s career. He is a four-division world champion and one of boxing’s top names, with a long record of elite wins and championship success.

Paul, meanwhile, continues to try to establish himself at the highest level after recent setbacks, including a serious injury and recovery period following his loss to Joshua.

Despite that, his name still draws major attention for potential crossover fights. For now, the matchup remains only speculation, but the WBC president’s response has kept the conversation alive.

During a recent livestream, Paul claimed he has already discussed the potential matchup directly with Canelo and insisted the financial terms are ready to move forward. “Canelo wants 200 million. I have the 200 million dollars for you, easy money. Jake Paul vs Canelo, let’s get it done. This is what the fans have been waiting for. This is the biggest fight that can possibly be made in boxing,” Paul said.

The comments arrive after former UFC veteran Matt Brown questioned Paul’s career‑threatening injury claim, as Canelo prepares for his return to the ring after nearly a year away from competition following elbow surgery and his upset loss to Terence Crawford in their undisputed super‑middleweight title fight last September.

Paul continues pushing for blockbuster Canelo fight

Paul also stated during the stream that Canelo had shown interest in the fight during private conversations, increasing speculation surrounding a possible crossover mega-event.

“Canelo says he’s down on the phone, so we’re going to make it happen. I have the 200 million and I think that’s going to be the next fight. Sign the contract Canelo. Much respect to you, let’s make the biggest fight in boxing happen,” Paul added.

The potential matchup would likely become one of the most commercially successful events in combat sports given both fighters’ massive global audiences and social media influence.

Canelo remains focused on return against Mbilli

Despite Paul’s public push for the fight, Canelo is currently preparing for his scheduled return against WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this September.

Canelo has not competed since suffering the surprising loss to Crawford and subsequently undergoing elbow surgery during his recovery period. Meanwhile, Paul’s own future in boxing recently appeared uncertain after his stoppage loss to Anthony Joshua in December.

Jake Paul star previously suggested he might not return to the ring, though his latest comments indicate he remains interested in pursuing another high-profile showdown.

“Never fight again bc of broken jaw? How does that work? Jaws heal well. I’ve had mine broken twice and didn’t even get it wired,” Brown wrote on social media while responding to Paul’s comments.

Paul recently revealed that doctors have advised caution about a potential return to fighting, suggesting that the injury could possibly end his boxing career. Brown, however, strongly disagreed with that assessment based on his own experience in combat sports.

The injury occurred during the sixth round of Paul’s loss to Joshua, when the British heavyweight landed a decisive right hand that dropped Paul for the first knockout defeat of his professional career.

Brown rejects concerns over Paul’s broken jaw

Brown questioned the seriousness of Paul’s concerns, explaining that broken jaws are relatively common injuries in combat sports and are typically recoverable for professional fighters.

The longtime UFC welterweight competed for nearly two decades and built a reputation as one of the sport’s most aggressive knockout artists. Brown finished his MMA career with 13 UFC knockouts, one of the highest totals in promotional history.

Paul still awaiting full medical clearance

Despite Brown’s criticism, Paul stated during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show that he still has not been medically cleared to spar or absorb contact nearly five months after the loss.

According to Paul, his doctor remains concerned about the way the jaw healed and has advised against returning to the ring until the recovery process is fully complete.

The situation has created uncertainty surrounding Paul’s boxing future following what was expected to be the biggest test of his career against Joshua. While questions remain about whether the injury could truly end his fighting career, the debate has already sparked strong reactions throughout the combat sports world.

The social media star turned boxer recently shared that he is still waiting for medical clearance after suffering a broken jaw in two places during the heavyweight fight against Joshua. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Paul admitted there is a real possibility he may never return to the ring. “I think I’ll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibility,” Paul said.

The loss marked the biggest challenge of Paul’s boxing career. After competing mostly at cruiserweight since turning professional in 2020, he moved up in weight to face Joshua, a former two‑time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist who had recently returned to training.

Paul still waiting for medical clearance

Following the sixth-round knockout loss, Paul underwent surgery after breaking his jaw in two places. Doctors inserted two titanium plates, and he also needed to have teeth removed as part of the recovery process.

Paul has not fought since the bout and says he still has not been allowed to spar again. While he continues training lightly and staying active in the gym, his return timeline remains uncertain.

“It does feel a lot better as weeks go by, but I definitely need to get cleared to be able to spar,” Paul explained. The 28-year-old added that upcoming scans will help doctors better evaluate how the bone is healing before any decisions are made about a potential comeback.

Joshua fight changed Paul’s career outlook

The fight against Joshua represented a major step up in competition for Paul, who had built his boxing profile against former MMA fighters, influencers, and lower-level professional opponents before facing an elite heavyweight.

Now, the injuries suffered in that fight could have long-term consequences for his future in combat sports. “Most definitely,” Paul said when asked if his boxing future was in doubt. “I think it just depends on how the bone heals.”

When asked about the negotiations between Pacquiao and Mayweather, Paul was firm in his stance. “This is the problem with boxing, people in the sport who aren’t professional, it makes us all look bad. There are so many egos. People think that they’re bigger or better than they are multiple times.”

Paul also slammed the multiple shenanigans that can stall or taint fighting negotiations. “It all comes down to things like ring size, what shoes you can wear, what gloves you can use. It’s like, stop and just fight.”

Mayweather vs Pacquiao II would be a massive event despite age

Arguably the best two boxers of the 21st century, Mayweather and Pacquiao faced each other past their primes, and way too late. It was also a controversial bout that Mayweather won by decision. Pacquiao fought with a torn rotator cuff, which he disclosed after the fight.

The bout was on May, 2015 and people always thought that a rematch with both healthy would be a sure fight. It never came to fruition. Now, with both fighters very aged, it would still be a massive event given the names implicated.

Will it be an exhibition or a professional bout?

That’s been one of the holdouts. Mayweather wanted it to be an exhibition, while Pacquiao wanted a pro fight. At first, it was announced as a professional bout, but Mayweather insists it isn’t. As of now, the fight is scheduled for September 19th, 2026.

The venue is also yet to be confirmed. At first, it was going to take place in The Sphere in Las Vegas. However, that hasn’t been set in stone either. It remains to be seen if the fight is going to actually take place, but for now, it’s a tug of war between both sides.

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is an enterprise led by Jake Paul focused on premier sports events. On May 16, they will host an event featuring the return of Ronda Rousey, who will step back into action to fight Gina Carano.

The success of MVP’s events has raised questions about the UFC’s future. Now, Jake Paul has intensified these doubts by stating that UFC Freedom 250, which takes place at the White House, is one of the many mistakes he believes Dana White, who recently judged his fight against Anthony Joshua, is making with his enterprise.

“[Dana White is] not smart enough. Just look at what he’s doing,” Paul told Theo Von on his This Past Weekend podcast. “You don’t get Jon Jones on the White House card? First of all, Justin Gaethje is going to lose to Ilia [Topuria] on the White House card. So you have a Spaniard beating a white American on the patriotic White House card? Big mistake. Why are you not going to pay Jon Jones? They’ve gotten greedy, and they’ve forgotten their hearts as a company.”

Jake Paul is open to working with the UFC

Jake Paul has evolved from being an actor and YouTuber to an influencer, boxer, and entrepreneur. With his expansion into the entertainment business through MVP, he is sending a clear message that he intends to become a top businessman in the world of sports.

During his talk with Theo Von, Paul hinted at the possibility of the UFC acquiring MVP, but only if he could become part of the organization to guide it toward a better direction than the one he believes Dana White is currently leading it.

“I’m open to it. Buy us,” Paul added. “We’ll help you guys not be idiots. The amount of money you would spend—like, I don’t have an ego. I’ll work with anybody.”

Jake Paul believes MMA has stalled due to the UFC

According to Jake Paul, mixed martial arts has an extremely high ceiling for growth. However, he suggests that problems with fighter revenue, specifically within the UFC, may be the primary reason the sport is not growing as rapidly as it should.

“The NFL pays their athletes 50 percent of the revenue; so if the NFL makes a billion dollars, the athletes make $500 million,” the YouTuber said. “In the UFC, it’s $150 million out of a billion, but when you exclude Conor McGregor and Jon Jones from that, it becomes like 5 percent—$50 million out of a billion.”

Speaking on the CryptoMikli podcast, Jake Paul was questioned about who would win a boxing match between him and his brother, and he didn’t hesitate to make it clear that he thinks he would win without any problem.

“In boxing, I would beat him pretty easily,” Jake said. “I think he would probably agree, but I think he would think it would be closer. He would last like two rounds with me in boxing, maybe three.”

An MMA bout may have a different outcome

As Jake Paul has yet to find a boxing opponent following his loss to Anthony Joshua, he has been linked to mixed martial arts, with rumors of a bout against Oleksandr Usyk recently gaining significant traction.

However, Jake Paul is also aware of his limitations, and MMA is not currently one of his strengths. The “Problem Child” confessed that if he were ever to face Logan in an octagon, he would likely lose due to his brother’s superior wrestling experience.

“In MMA, I think he would actually have the advantage because he is really good at wrestling, and he can do like the splits, so I’m pretty sure he could kick me in the head. Like, he can kick high,” the influencer added.

Is Jake Paul’s boxing career over?

Last year, Jake Paul took on his biggest challenge to date by facing Anthony Joshua. The British champion defeated the YouTuber decisively, breaking his jaw in the sixth round to secure a knockout victory.

Following that defeat, rumors circulated about Paul potentially retiring from the ring. Nevertheless, he has stated that the loss taught him to prepare more rigorously for every fight, hinting that his career in the sport is far from over.

On June 13, Tommy Fury will return to the ring at the AO Arena in Manchester. He is set to face Eddie Hall, the former World’s Strongest Man, whose massive physique and 340-pound frame have made this “Beauty vs. The Beast” matchup a viral sensation.

While Fury typically weighs in around 205 to 210 pounds for his cruiserweight bouts, Hall is expected to tip the scales near the 340-pound mark. Despite this unprecedented size discrepancy, Fury has expressed confidence that his boxing pedigree and superior mobility will nullify Hall’s raw power.

“I don’t really pay too much attention on weight,” Tommy Fury told ESPN. “It’s about performance in the ring, in training. We go by that. I think it’s just about how I perform. It’s not my job to be big and strong in this fight.“

Is Jake Paul still on the horizon for Tommy Fury?

In 2023, Tommy Fury handed Jake Paul his first professional defeat via a split decision in Saudi Arabia. Since that night, fans have called for a sequel, and while rumors of a rematch have persisted for years, a firm agreement remains elusive.

The narrative shifted significantly in December 2025, when Jake Paul suffered a knockout loss to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua. That defeat left Paul with two titanium plates in his jaw and a long road to recovery.

Some analysts believe that facing a familiar rival like Fury in late 2026 would be the ideal “rebound” fight for Paul to reclaim his momentum in the crossover boxing space. As for Fury, his future depends entirely on the outcome of his clash with “The Beast.” While Fury is the heavy betting favorite, the combat sports world is wary of Hall’s “one-shot” power.

If Hall pulls off the upset, he could potentially steal the spotlight—and the payday—associated with a Jake Paul matchup, leaving Fury to join Paul in the “rebound” category. Will destiny bring them back together again?

After such a serious injury, many speculated that Jake Paul’s boxing career might be over. However, the influencer-turned-fighter is determined to continue, even if his future path leads him away from a traditional boxing ring.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Paul revealed that he expects to return to action by November or December 2026. While he plans to stay in boxing, he is also “serious” about potentially facing the Ukrainian heavyweight legend in a mixed martial arts contest.

“It’s definitely serious, but we’ll see what happens,” Jake Paul said about an MMA bout against Oleksandry Usyk. “I need to start training first. There’s too many things to do in life.”

A Tommy Fury rematch is currently off the table

Following his sixth-round defeat to Joshua, rumors suggested Paul might seek a rematch with the only other man to beat him, Tommy Fury. However, Paul has since rejected that idea, calling the Fury family “difficult to work with.”

“We’ve tried so many times with the Furys and they are just pretty daft,” he added. “I don’t need to grant someone life, no one’s heard of Tommy Fury. I’m not trying to negotiate any more with him. That’s where things stand there.”

Instead, Paul is looking for more “suitable” rivals as he reflects on the gap in skill exposed by Joshua. Reports suggest that even a rematch against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is being considered as a more realistic option for his return.

Has Jake Paul ever fought in mixed martial arts?

No, Jake Paul has never competed in a professional MMA fight, despite signing a multi-year deal with the PFL in early 2023. While he has a background in wrestling and has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he has yet to step inside the cage.

Transitioning to MMA at this stage, especially after a major jaw surgery, remains a risky move. If Paul’s ultimate goal is to be taken seriously as a professional boxer, many analysts believe a move to the PFL could distract from his development in the “sweet science.”

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.