Former UFC Champion Francis Ngannou Shuns Jake Paul Boxing Proposal Amidst Davis Bout Uncertainty

Francis Ngannou, the formidable former UFC Heavyweight Champion, has definitively rejected an offer to step into the boxing ring against internet personality turned pugilist, Jake Paul. The proposal from Paul’s promotion, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), arose as an urgent attempt to salvage a highly anticipated Netflix event following a significant legal challenge against Paul’s original opponent, Gervonta "Tank" Davis. Ngannou’s categorical refusal underscores a commitment to what he perceives as legitimate, high-level combat sports, dismissing the potential crossover bout as both illogical and disrespectful.

The controversy surrounding the original Netflix main event escalated dramatically this past weekend. Jake Paul was scheduled to face undefeated boxing sensation Gervonta Davis in an exhibition boxing match, a fixture widely anticipated to draw millions of viewers to the streaming platform. However, the fight’s viability was thrown into severe jeopardy after a lawsuit was filed by Courtney Rossel, Davis’s ex-girlfriend. The civil action levies serious allegations against the boxer, including battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. These grave accusations immediately cast a shadow over Davis’s participation, forcing Most Valuable Promotions to urgently seek a replacement.

In their scramble to find a viable substitute capable of maintaining the event’s high-profile status, reports surfaced that MVP had reached out to several prominent mixed martial arts figures with boxing experience, including Ngannou and former UFC star Nate Diaz. On Monday, Ngannou confirmed the outreach, but unequivocally stated his lack of interest in the proposed contest.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, Ngannou elaborated on his decision, highlighting the stark contrast between the original opponent and the replacement offer. "No, there’s no such thing happening," Ngannou stated. "Basically, how can they go from Gervonta Davis to Francis Ngannou? Gervonta Davis is a fantastic boxer and is a one-shot knockout artist, but come on. We’re way different. It makes no sense. Gervonta Davis, you come, you say, ‘OK, the size difference can level up.’ [But] at this point, for me, it makes no sense."

Related News :

The former UFC champion recounted the specifics of the offer, expressing his initial bewilderment. "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." Ngannou concluded his recollection with a clear indication of his sentiment: "I’m like, ‘No, bro. Come on. Don’t disrespect me like that.’"

Ngannou’s rejection appears to be rooted in a matter of principle rather than financial considerations. Despite the potential for a fight against Jake Paul to be enormously lucrative, drawing potentially millions of viewers on Netflix and offering a substantial payday, "The Predator" asserted that monetary gain was not his primary motivator. "They even came out after and said, ‘What if the numbers are good?’" Ngannou revealed. "He sent some numbers, and I’m like, ‘It’s not about the number.’ If it was about the number, I would tell you. I’m just not interested." He further clarified his career aspirations, stating, "He makes no sense for me. He’s not what I’m looking at right now." This stance highlights Ngannou’s commitment to pursuing fights that align with his vision for his professional boxing career, which currently involves challenging established heavyweights.

Jake Paul has carved out a unique, albeit controversial, niche in professional boxing by predominantly facing former mixed martial arts fighters, often with a significant size or age advantage. His professional boxing record, which currently stands at 9 wins and 1 loss (6 KOs), includes victories over former UFC champions Tyron Woodley (twice) and Anderson Silva, as well as a win over Nate Diaz, another fighter reportedly contacted by MVP for the replacement bout. Paul’s sole professional boxing defeat came against legitimate boxer Tommy Fury, highlighting a clear distinction in his opponent selection strategy.

A potential matchup against Francis Ngannou, however, would represent a monumental departure from Paul’s typical opponent profile and a considerable step up in competition. Ngannou, who stands at 6 feet 4 inches and typically fights above 270 pounds, would be the first opponent for Paul who is not only a natural heavyweight but also significantly larger than the former Disney star, who usually competes in the cruiserweight or light heavyweight divisions (typically between 185-200 lbs). The sheer size and power differential between Ngannou and Paul’s previous opponents, who were largely welterweights or middleweights in MMA, is substantial.

Furthermore, Ngannou brings legitimate, high-level boxing experience to the table, despite his limited professional record in the sport. His transition to boxing after a storied career in the UFC saw him face two of the sport’s most formidable heavyweights. In October 2023, Ngannou made his professional boxing debut against WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury, a bout in which he remarkably knocked down Fury and went the full ten rounds, ultimately losing a controversial split decision. This performance garnered significant praise and demonstrated Ngannou’s raw power and potential in the squared circle. He followed this with another high-profile encounter against former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in March 2024, where he suffered a second-round knockout loss. While the loss was decisive, these experiences against elite-level boxers underscore Ngannou’s serious intentions and his commitment to challenging himself against the best in the sport.

Ngannou’s background as the UFC Heavyweight Champion, a title he successfully defended, and his subsequent departure from the promotion due to disputes over contract terms and the freedom to pursue boxing opportunities, further illustrate his career trajectory. His most recent combat sports appearance was in late 2023, when he made a triumphant PFL (Professional Fighters League) debut, finishing Renan Ferreira. This victory cemented his continued relevance and competitive drive in high-level combat.

The stylistic mismatch between Gervonta Davis and Francis Ngannou, as potential opponents for Paul, is profound. Davis, a southpaw, is a five-time world champion in three weight classes and boasts an undefeated professional boxing record of 29 wins, 0 losses, with 27 knockouts. He is renowned for his technical prowess, speed, and devastating power, particularly at lightweight (135 lbs) and super featherweight (130 lbs). Paul, who has largely fought at cruiserweight, would have faced a formidable, legitimate boxing challenge in Davis, albeit with a significant weight discrepancy.

Ngannou, conversely, is a super-heavyweight power puncher whose primary combat background is in MMA. While he possesses undeniable knockout power and has shown surprising boxing acumen, his style and weight class are vastly different from Davis’s. The proposition of Ngannou replacing Davis against Paul is, as Ngannou articulated, a non-sequitur in terms of boxing logic, despite the potential draw of two high-profile figures.

For Most Valuable Promotions, the attempt to secure Ngannou highlights the urgency and potentially desperation to keep the Netflix event alive. While a fight with Ngannou would undoubtedly generate significant interest and viewership, it would also represent a chaotic pivot from the original matchup. It speaks to Paul’s ambition to constantly seek new challenges and maintain relevance in the combat sports world, but Ngannou’s refusal underscores the boundaries that some established fighters draw when it comes to crossover bouts.

Ngannou reiterated his firm stance, stating, "The fight makes no sense. That’s what I think. That’s my position." He concluded by emphasizing his personal view of the offer: "I think it’s disrespectful. What flattering? Come on. I don’t know, I don’t see it that way. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s not the way that I see it. But I have no interest in that."

Ngannou’s decision reinforces his commitment to a serious boxing career, prioritizing legitimate competition over celebrity spectacle, even at the cost of substantial financial gain. His focus remains on challenging the world’s elite heavyweights, a path he has consciously chosen since his departure from the UFC, rather than engaging in bouts he perceives as a step backward for his professional aspirations. The implications for Jake Paul’s Netflix event remain uncertain as MVP continues its search for a suitable replacement for Gervonta Davis.