Jake Paul Leaves UFC Legend in Shock Over ‘Crazy’ Decision to Fight Anthony Joshua

Daniel Cormier reacts to the unexpected influencer boxing matchup between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua in December.

Jake Paul Leaves UFC Legend in Shock Over ‘Crazy’ Decision to Fight Anthony Joshua

Daniel Cormier is shocked by Jake Paul's decision to fight Anthony Joshua (via BBC, Ring Magazine)

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Influencer boxing has expanded rapidly across mainstream platforms. Jake Paul has led this surge by consistently taking on high-profile challenges. He is now set to face former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in his next bout. The announcement recently caught Daniel Cormier off guard due to the scale of the matchup.

Paul had originally been scheduled to fight Gervonta Davis in what was projected to be the toughest test of his career. That event was canceled following Davis’s legal complications that halted promotional plans. The cancellation created an opening in Paul’s schedule. This vacancy ultimately allowed Joshua to step into the new opponent’s role.

Before settling on Joshua, Paul explored several potential names for his next fight. Among them was Francis Ngannou, whom Paul publicly targeted while searching for opponents. Ngannou quickly responded, expressing dissatisfaction with being called out. This sequence led to Daniel Cormier’s reaction in Logan Paul’s vlog after the Joshua announcement.

That’s bad, bro… that’s bad. Listen to me right here let me tell you this. If he fights Anthony Joshua with no parameters in place, you all better give Jake Paul his credit. I will, because that’s ******* brave

Daniel Cormier via YouTube

Paul and Cormier have a history of conflict dating back several years, as the UFC legend has weighed in on many of ‘The Problem Child’s boxing outings. Their tensions were most evident at UFC 261, when they engaged in a heated in-person confrontation. The dispute continued in later interviews and public appearances. Their strained relationship adds further context to Cormier’s reaction to the new matchup.

Throughout his boxing career, Paul has accumulated wins over names such as Julio César Chávez Jr. and Mike Tyson. Joshua, however, stands significantly larger at heavyweight and possesses extensive championship experience. The physical and competitive gap between them is considerable. This disparity has become one of the central topics surrounding the fight.

The announcement of the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight has generated widespread surprise across the combat sports community. Many observers have taken note of the unusual scale of the matchup. Daniel Cormier is among those who have reacted strongly to the development. The fight continues to fuel discussion about the evolution of influencer boxing.

UFC veteran weighs in on Jake Paul’s star power ahead of Anthony Joshua fight

Before entering boxing, Jake Paul built his early career as a widely known Disney personality and YouTube creator, gaining a massive following across social platforms. His transition into combat sports helped establish him as one of the most recognized influencer boxers globally. He later co-founded Most Valuable Promotions to support his growing boxing ventures.

Jake Paul
Jake Paul (via Biography)

UFC veteran Brendan Schaub recently analyzed the announcement of Paul’s fight with Anthony Joshua, focusing on the scale of Paul’s progression in the sport. He emphasized the drastic shift from Paul’s entertainment background to facing a former heavyweight champion. Schaub highlighted the commercial impact Paul brings to the boxing landscape.

Kudos to Jake Paul — from a Disney kid to a YouTuber… he can fight anyone, get views, and make money. This wild, crazy boy sends out the bat signal for Anthony ********* Joshua. You know how crazy that is? I don’t think any of Jake Paul’s fights are fixed… but I’ll say this — my spidey senses will go off if Anthony Joshua doesn’t absolutely mop the floor with him.

Brendan Schaub via The Schaub Show

The reaction from Schaub reflects the broader response within the combat community as Paul takes on increasingly demanding opponents. Joshua’s status as a former unified heavyweight champion places him among the most accomplished boxers Paul has targeted. The scale of the matchup has underscored the unpredictable nature of influencer boxing. It remains a defining moment in Paul’s ongoing boxing run.

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