“He’s an Idiot” – Francis Ngannou Gets Flamed for Missing on Huge Netflix Payday

Francis Ngannou faces backlash for missing a major Netflix payday as Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua moves forward with a stacked card.

“He’s an Idiot” – Francis Ngannou Gets Flamed for Missing on Huge Netflix Payday

Jake Paul goes off on Francis Ngannou (via MMA Fighting, Gymshark)

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Francis Ngannou remains one of the most prominent heavyweights in combat sports, rising from the sandmines of Cameroon to the UFC heavyweight title in a journey that inspired millions. His recent online behavior, however, has created doubts about his once-celebrated good-guy image. These discussions intensified after Jake Paul went on a heated rant aimed directly at the ‘Predator’.

Paul is scheduled to face former unified heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua on December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The event will stream globally on Netflix as a fully sanctioned professional bout. It stands as Paul’s biggest challenge, especially given that it is against a significantly larger opponent and not an exhibition like several of his earlier matchups.

Before securing Joshua as his opponent, Paul was initially set to fight Gervonta Davis, who withdrew from their planned bout due to ongoing legal issues. Ngannou emerged as one of the replacement options Paul approached, but he declined the offer, calling it disrespectful and poorly structured. This ultimately led Paul to unleash an angry outburst toward Ngannou during the press conference for the Joshua fight.

I just thought that he is just an idiot. I am like if you are so confident and if you feel so disrespected and you are having all this bad publicity about your name over the past year, this is your opportunity to correct that and stop me. He is also talking **** to the legend Mike Tyson. Francis you are not even close to the legend of Mike Tyson and you are saying it’s disrespectful to get in the ring.

Jake Paul via MMA Junkie

Despite the recent hostility, Paul and Ngannou were previously on friendly terms due to their shared stance on fighter pay issues. Paul publicly supported Ngannou’s push for improved MMA compensation, and Ngannou acknowledged him as an ally. However, tensions first surfaced when Ngannou criticized Paul for boxing Mike Tyson at age 58 in 2024, laying the groundwork for their eventual rivalry.

UFC CEO Dana White recently added another layer by commenting on Ngannou’s true nature. White suggested that Ngannou’s public humility contrasts with his behind-the-scenes demands and financial expectations. He also claimed that Ngannou had physically assaulted him. These remarks contributed to broader debates about how Ngannou is perceived within combat sports circles.

The Paul vs. Joshua event includes a stacked undercard featuring Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley and Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin in a major title bout. These additions strengthen the card as a whole and highlight its growing significance. With the lineup finalized, Francis Ngannou ultimately misses out on participation despite earlier discussions.

Anthony Joshua goes off on Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua have already clashed once in the ring. In March 2024, Joshua knocked Ngannou out in the second round with a powerful overhand right, handing Ngannou his second professional boxing defeat. This loss remains a key reference point in discussions around his boxing career and his limits as a crossover fighter.

Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou
Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou (via Bleacher Report)

At the recent press conference, Jake Paul delivered a harsh assessment of Ngannou’s decision to turn down a fight with him. Paul claimed he would outperform Ngannou by a wide margin, dismissed Ngannou’s boxing abilities, and portrayed him as slow, unprepared, and not on his level. Joshua soon joined in and aligned with Paul’s criticism by questioning Ngannou’s willingness to step up.

He should be up here if he was serious. He wants to fight rather than talking about it. Don’t talk about it, if you got to say you need to yourself in boxing, the best way to do it is to let your hands go. For me personally, talking becomes a pain when you’re talking in the ring.

Anthony Joshua via Paul vs Joshua press conference

The broader implications extend beyond the back-and-forth, as their unified criticism highlights shifting dynamics in crossover combat sports. With boxing and MMA stars crossing paths more frequently, reputational pressure has become central to shaping future matchups. Ngannou’s choices now carry added weight, as top heavyweights signal their readiness to question his place in the boxing hierarchy.

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