Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion, has publicly challenged Jake Paul's ambitions in heavyweight boxing, questioning the validity of his claims. In a recent interview with 'The Schmo,' Ngannou expressed his frustration, stating, 'I just want to give him some slaps,' referring to Paul’s persistent talk despite his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025. The rivalry has grown over the past year, transitioning from a shared association in the Professional Fighters League to a more personal feud marked by direct exchanges. Ngannou highlighted the differences in their experiences, dismissing Paul’s arguments as exaggerated. Despite their rivalry, both fighters' paths remain intertwined, as Ngannou is scheduled to return to MMA in May 2026, with the event promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. His last MMA fight resulted in a first-round knockout victory over Renan Ferreira in October 2024.