Michael Bisping Expresses Strong Doubt Over Jake Paul's Potential Bout with Francis Ngannou

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has voiced significant skepticism regarding recent rumors suggesting a potential boxing match between social media personality and professional boxer Jake Paul and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou. Bisping’s candid comments come amidst mounting uncertainty surrounding Paul’s previously scheduled exhibition bout against Gervonta Davis, which has been thrown into jeopardy by legal proceedings.

The anticipated clash between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis, initially slated for next weekend in Miami, has been cast into doubt following a civil lawsuit filed against Davis. Courtney Rossel, Davis’s ex-girlfriend, has accused the undefeated WBA lightweight champion of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. These serious allegations have prompted Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), Paul’s promotional company, to issue a statement confirming an ongoing investigation into the matter and indicating a forthcoming decision on the fight’s status. Davis, widely regarded as one of boxing’s most compelling and undefeated talents, boasts an impressive professional record of 29 wins with 27 knockouts. He recently secured a high-profile victory over Ryan Garcia in April of the previous year, further solidifying his status as a pay-per-view draw. Davis typically competes in the lightweight and super lightweight divisions, usually weighing between 135 and 140 pounds, which represents a significant size difference from Paul, who generally fights at cruiserweight or catchweights around 185-200 pounds. The financial implications of a potential cancellation would be substantial for all parties involved, including broadcasters, sponsors, and the fighters themselves.

As the future of the Paul-Davis bout hangs in the balance, speculation has intensified regarding potential replacement opponents for Paul. Veteran boxing reporter Mike Coppinger, known for his well-connected sources within the boxing industry, indicated that Nate Diaz and Francis Ngannou are among the leading candidates being considered by Paul’s team. This development has sparked widespread discussion across the combat sports landscape, given the vastly different profiles and career trajectories of the rumored fighters.

Addressing these swirling rumors on his popular YouTube channel, Michael Bisping, a former UFC Middleweight Champion and respected combat sports analyst known for his candid analysis, expressed profound disbelief regarding the Ngannou proposition. Bisping highlighted Paul’s established pattern of opponent selection throughout his nascent boxing career. "We know that Jake Paul has been out there, and he typically is taking on people that are way older than him, like Mike Tyson, who was 58, Anderson Silva, who was way past his prime, and Nate Diaz, who was way smaller," Bisping stated, referencing Paul’s calculated approach to opponent selection. Paul’s professional boxing record, currently standing at 9 wins and 1 loss with 6 knockouts, includes notable victories over former MMA champions such as Tyron Woodley (twice), Anderson Silva (a unanimous decision win in October 2022 when Silva was 47), and Nate Diaz (a unanimous decision win in August 2023). His sole professional loss came against legitimate boxer Tommy Fury in February 2023. Paul also participated in a high-profile exhibition bout against the legendary Mike Tyson, who is 58, further illustrating his preference for matchups against established names from other combat disciplines, often with a significant age or size advantage in his favor.

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Bisping emphatically highlighted the dramatic and unprecedented shift in opponent profile that would be required to transition from a lightweight like Gervonta Davis to a heavyweight like Francis Ngannou. "Gervonta Davis really did take the piss. That was the craziest shout ever. To go from fighting Gervonta Davis, way smaller, to now boxing Francis Ngannou – listen, if he does it, fair play, but I just call ‘No. 1 bullsh*t on this, brother.’ I don’t see this happening. I just don’t believe it. I don’t believe it at all." The contrast is stark: Davis is a compact, elite-level boxer operating at much lighter weights, renowned for his technical skill and explosive power within his division. Ngannou, conversely, is a natural heavyweight, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and typically weighing over 250 pounds, widely recognized for possessing some of the most concussive knockout power in combat sports history. Nicknamed "The Predator," Ngannou is the former UFC Heavyweight Champion with an impressive mixed martial arts record of 17 wins and 3 losses, all of his victories coming via knockout or submission. He has transitioned to professional boxing, making his debut against WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury in October 2023. In that bout, Ngannou shocked the boxing world by knocking Fury down in the third round and impressed many with his overall performance, ultimately losing a close and controversial split decision. His second professional boxing match in March 2024, however, saw him suffer a devastating second-round knockout loss to former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, a stark reminder of the elite level of heavyweight boxing. For Paul, who campaigns at cruiserweight, stepping into the ring with a true heavyweight like Ngannou would represent an unprecedented and physically daunting challenge, a jump of potentially 50 to 70 pounds in natural fighting weight.

In contrast to his strong skepticism regarding a potential Ngannou fight, Bisping found the prospect of a rematch with Nate Diaz far more credible and likely. "Nate Diaz? 100 percent. He beat him once already. I’m sure Nate Diaz would love to get another big payday, because obviously, boxing on Netflix, and going up against Jake Paul, given his success, given the name that he has, and given the magnitude of his events, Nate Diaz would have to get paid an absolute fortune once again." Diaz, a long-standing cult hero in the UFC with a professional MMA record of 21 wins and 13 losses, is known for his unconventional style, incredible durability, and enduring popularity among combat sports fans. He made his professional boxing debut against Paul in August 2023, losing a 10-round unanimous decision in a contest fought at a catchweight of 185 pounds. This was a significant weight increase for Diaz, who traditionally competed at welterweight (170 pounds) in MMA. The financial incentives for a rematch, particularly on a platform like Netflix as Bisping hinted, would likely be substantial, aligning with both fighters’ demonstrated interest in high-profile, lucrative crossover bouts that appeal to a broad audience.

Paul’s boxing career has largely followed the trajectory Bisping described, pitting him against older, often smaller, former mixed martial artists, a strategy that has generated significant attention and revenue. However, throughout this period, Paul has also consistently teased potential future encounters with some of boxing’s most formidable names, including unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez and former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Bisping acknowledged that should Paul genuinely commit to such a high-caliber challenge, he would be deserving of significant recognition, regardless of the outcome. "We know that it wasn’t too long ago that Jake Paul was boxing Anthony Joshua, and that never came to fruition," Bisping recalled. "There’s no way he would box Anthony Joshua. If he did, if he was to do something like that, whether it was Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou, I’d give him his props. I’d give him his credit. And you never know, maybe he would do it just for the clout. … In many ways, it would be an admirable thing to do." This statement underscores Bisping’s understanding of the unique landscape of crossover boxing, where the spectacle and perceived bravery of taking on a vastly superior opponent can sometimes be as valuable as a victory.

Despite his strong reservations about the Ngannou fight materializing, Bisping refrained from entirely dismissing its promotional logic for Paul. He conceded that Paul has shown demonstrable improvement as a boxer over time, a testament to his dedication to training. "Listen, I will say Jake Paul is definitely improving over the years," Bisping observed. "You can see the work that he’s putting in, so I do respect that. I’m not being a hater, I’m being a realist." Bisping went on to suggest that from a strategic, promotional standpoint, an Ngannou fight, even if resulting in a loss for Paul, could offer a unique "win-win" scenario for his brand. "For Jake Paul, it would almost be worth that calculated risk. It would be a [win-win]. Because even if he did lose – which he would – people would be like, ‘Look at the balls on him!’" This perspective highlights the inherent value of spectacle and perceived bravery in the crossover boxing landscape. For Paul, whose brand thrives on pushing boundaries and generating headlines, a fight against a formidable opponent like Ngannou, despite the probable athletic outcome, would undoubtedly generate immense public discussion and could be reframed as a display of courage against overwhelming odds, further solidifying his unique place in the combat sports entertainment sphere.