Jake Paul recently shared with Donald Trump a four-man hit-list of boxers and MMA fighters he wants to take down next, but the US President seemed unfazed, and made an alternative suggestion for his next bout.
Trump and Paul’s relationship is nothing new, and developed through politics and media appearances since the internet sensation publicly backed the MAGA leader during the 2024 election cycle, posting an endorsement on YouTube, and praising “courage” Trump showed after an assassination attempt on his life.
The two appeared together at a Trump rally in Kentucky this month, where Paul spoke onstage. Trump praised the boxer and even said he had his “complete and total endorsement” if he ever ran for political office.
They even did a podcast together in Hebron, during which they talked about who Paul could fight next, as he looks to rebound following the twice-fractured he suffered in a knockout loss to British bruiser Anthony Joshua — a result that saw his record retreat to 14-2 (7 KOs).
“Maybe [Oleksandr] Usyk in MMA,” Paul told Trump, regarding possible options for future bouts. “Francis Ngannou, Ryan Garcia, maybe Tommy Fury.”
Paul then turned the question back to Trump: “Who would you want to see me fight?”
“Well,” Trump replied. “Probably Khabib [Nurmagomedov].”
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Nurmagomedov retired in the COVID-era after fighting, and beating, Justin Gaethje to conclude an extraordinarily dominant career at 29-0 in MMA, beating the likes of Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, and Rafael dos Anjos along the way. He has not fought since 2020, making a promise to his mother to never compete again, following the death of his father and coach Abdulmanap.
Regardless, Paul offered two words to Trump’s suggestion.
“I’m down.”
Trump finished: “I think they say who was the best, of those. I’ve had a lot of fighters. Mike Tyson, he was great.”
Watch the exchange right here:
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