Jake Paul Eyes Late 2026 Return, Four Foes in Talks

Jake Paul is targeting a return to the ring in late 2026 or early 2027, with Most Valuable Promotions actively negotiating with four potential opponents, according to company co-founder and CEO Nakisa Bidarian.

Bidarian posted the update on X on Thursday, writing that his team is in talks with four possible foes for Paul's next fight and that the location and broadcast home will depend on who signs on. The timeline pushes Paul's return well into next year, with no opponent locked in yet.

Who could Jake Paul fight next?

Paul has publicly floated a wish list that includes Canelo Alvarez, Francis Ngannou and Conor McGregor, but only one of those three has shown real interest in getting in the ring with him. Francis Ngannou has been open to a matchup, while Alvarez and McGregor have given no indication they want any part of a Jake Paul fight. Bidarian's four unnamed targets may or may not overlap with that list, but the gap between Paul's dream opponents and who's actually willing to sign a contract remains the central obstacle to getting a deal done.

Is Jake Paul still working with Netflix?

Bidarian's statement also addressed rumors that MVP's relationship with Netflix has soured. The streamer has hosted four MVP cards, starting with Paul's fight against Mike Tyson in November 2024, followed by the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano trilogy fight, Paul's bout with Anthony Joshua, and the Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano matchup under MVP's MMA banner. That partnership has been thrown into question after Netflix cut a significant chunk of its executive ranks following soft quarterly growth numbers, wiping out many of the relationships MVP had built inside the company. Other reporting suggests Netflix is actually looking to grow its live sports and event programming, with new executives only beginning their roles in recent days. Bidarian's own wording, that location and distribution will hinge on the opponent, suggests Netflix remains in the mix but is no longer a guaranteed landing spot. MVP has already proven it can operate without the streamer, having run cards on DAZN, ESPN and Sky Sports.

Betting Angle

With no opponent confirmed, there's nothing on the board yet to price, but the opponent announcement itself will move the market fast. A Francis Ngannou rematch-style showcase would likely open with Paul favored given his recent run against boxing trained specialists versus Ngannou's limited boxing resume, while a Canelo Alvarez pairing, if it ever materialized, would flip Paul into a heavy underdog given the gap in class. Bettors should watch for the opponent reveal before assuming anything about price, since Paul's odds have swung wildly fight to fight depending on who he's standing across from.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Jake Paul fight next?

Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said the team is targeting late 2026 or early 2027 for Jake Paul's next boxing match while negotiating with four potential opponents.

Will Jake Paul fight Francis Ngannou, Canelo Alvarez or Conor McGregor?

Jake Paul has named Canelo Alvarez, Francis Ngannou and Conor McGregor as opponents he wants, but only Francis Ngannou has shown real interest in facing him.

Is Jake Paul still fighting on Netflix?

Nakisa Bidarian said Jake Paul's location and broadcast partner for his next fight will depend on who the opponent is, after reports questioned whether Most Valuable Promotions still has strong ties to Netflix.