After the planned November 15 exhibition boxing bout against Gervonta Davis was canceled, Jake Paul directed criticism at Francis Ngannou for rejecting an offer to step in on short notice. Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian reached out to Ngannou to fill in for the fight at less than three weeks’ notice, but the former UFC heavyweight champion turned down the chance.
Paul responded sharply on social media, writing:
“Dear Francis – 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.”
Dear Francis – 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.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 4, 2025
Ngannou Fires Back
Francis Ngannou quickly replied, quoting Paul’s post and cautioning him:
“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.”
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.😤 https://t.co/EpBFWrKMjk
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) November 4, 2025
Paul immediately shot back, saying:
“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…🛌 💤 😤”
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… https://t.co/opG82hZpBQ
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 4, 2025
Francis Ngannou, who previously held the UFC heavyweight title, has also ventured into professional boxing. He lost a disputed split decision to Tyson Fury in October 2023 and was knocked out by Anthony Joshua five months later. His most recent MMA bout occurred in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he defeated Renan Ferreira by TKO in October 2024. Despite his interest in future boxing matches, he did not want to face Paul under the current circumstances.
The exhibition match between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis, which had been scheduled for Miami’s Kaseya Center, was canceled after allegations surfaced that Davis assaulted a woman in a strip club. Paul, who had previously criticized Davis online, is expected to fight before the end of 2025, though opponents and dates have not yet been finalized.
