Francis Ngannou has admitted that a Jake Paul fight is now firmly in his plans after the YouTube star called him out for a boxing fight.
Paul's promotional company, MVP, is organising Ngannou's big MMA bout against against Philipe Lins on May 16, but 'The Problem Child' took the microphone at the launch press conference to issue a verbal challenge towards the former UFC heavyweight champion.
Ngannou admits he had not previously considered Paul as a future opponent, but he now expects to return to boxing for a grudge fight.
"At first, I wasn't so excited [about fighting him]," Ngannou told Your Site News.
"I wasn't looking into that, but I think I at some point I need to handle him.
"I think I can kick his ass, if I might say so."
Ngannou returned to MMA after suffering a second-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in 2024, while Paul is recovering after sustaining a broken jaw in a six-round stoppage loss against Joshua in December.
"Of course [I respect him as a boxer]," said Ngannou, who faces Lins on the Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano bill at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
"I have been watching his career so closely from the beginning, because in the beginning nobody believed in him. And then I think he proved to everybody that he was serious."
Ngannou has also shared the ring with Tyson Fury, dropping the Brit in the third round, before losing a hotly-disputed points decision.
With Fury and Joshua expected to finally fight this year, Ngannou is edging towards one of his former opponents to emerge victorious.
"We've been waiting for that fight for almost 10 years now, so finally it has happened," said Ngannou.
"At this level, I think it's very close. Anybody can win.
"It depends on how the fight goes. I think if it's going to go to a decision, I will pick Fury.
"If it's a knockout, I think Joshua has a chance early. But I think the fight is well in Fury's favour."
