Speculation surrounding Jake Paul’s mixed martial arts debut has intensified, with Francis Ngannou’s coach, Eric Nicksick, confirming that Team Ngannou would be open to a fight against the former UFC heavyweight champion, provided the terms are favorable.
Nicksick’s Comments on Jake Paul vs. Francis Ngannou
Addressing the ongoing discussion about Jake Paul’s transition to MMA, Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick suggested that Paul, the YouTube sensation turned boxer, has inadvertently positioned Ngannou as the most compelling opponent for his debut. Nicksick highlighted Paul’s direct challenges and their shared history in boxing as factors making this particular matchup stand out.
Nicksick elaborated on his perspective, emphasizing both the financial and competitive aspects of such a bout. He shared with Action Network:
“The name that’s always going to stick out there now is going to be Francis, because of the boxing element, and Jake calling out Francis. I don’t know where Francis is at with his negotiations or his contracts with PFL. But, definitely, that’s a fight that would be cool, if the money’s right.
“And after that little dialogue back and forth of these guys talking shit to each other, then you might as well if you want to jump in the deep end, and you want to fight Francis, because I’ll tell you what, man, I’m probably the same size as Jake and when I stand next to Francis, I feel like a little kid.”
Nicksick’s comments on Ngannou’s contractual status were made at a time of flux for the heavyweight. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) had confirmed its decision to part ways with Ngannou, concluding a significant partnership that began in 2023. The PFL acknowledged his contributions and framed the departure as a strategic move to continue attracting top talent, extending well wishes for his future endeavors.
Despite Nicksick’s earlier uncertainty regarding Ngannou’s contracts, the heavyweight’s subsequent path became clear. The former UFC and PFL champion ultimately signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), leading to his scheduled MMA return against former UFC heavyweight Philipe Lins. This five-round heavyweight bout, set as the co-main event on MVP’s inaugural MMA card, also marked Netflix’s first live MMA broadcast from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. This quick transition into the MVP-Netflix partnership followed Ngannou’s release from PFL and represented his first MMA appearance since his victory for the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title in October 2024.
Nicksick underscored the immense challenge a fight against Ngannou would pose for an MMA debutant like Paul. He illustrated the vast size and power disparity by stating that despite being roughly Paul’s size, standing beside Ngannou made him “feel like a little kid.” This vivid comparison highlights the gulf between a natural heavyweight, known for his devastating knockout power in both the UFC and his boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and a cruiserweight-sized crossover personality.
Should this highly anticipated matchup materialize, it would pit one of MMA’s most formidable heavyweights against one of combat sports’ most prominent influencers in Paul’s maiden MMA venture. Nicksick’s public statements clearly indicate Ngannou’s team is prepared to accept such a challenge.
