After his recent loss to Anthony Joshua and subsequent jaw surgery, Jake Paul became involved in another confrontation, this time verbal, with UFC fighter Ilia Topuria. The dispute unfolded during a live stream hosted by Adin Ross, where Topuria criticized Paul’s boxing abilities, calling him “a very bad boxer.” The exchange drew attention as Paul defended himself and challenged Topuria in response.
Ilia Topuria Questions Jake Paul’s Boxing Skills
During the live stream, Topuria expressed doubts about Paul’s technical boxing skills despite respecting his promotional abilities. He stated,
“I like the way that he represents himself, as a boxer, I think he s**ks. He’s a very bad boxer. But I love being that bad, how he does it and how he promotes himself is very, I don’t know,”
illustrating his disdain yet begrudging admiration for Paul’s self-marketing. When asked why he regarded Paul as an inferior boxer, Topuria explained,
“Because he is not a good boxer. He doesn’t have the skills to be a good boxer. But [anyway] he is doing a great job because he sells more than most people.”
Jake Paul Responds and Challenges Topuria to Sparring
Paul joined the stream and turned the confrontation into a heated back-and-forth. While Topuria placed Paul among the better YouTubers and streamers who box but only average compared to seasoned fighters, Paul countered with a sparring challenge:
“Yeah? Let’s spar. When I beat your a** in sparring, what will you say then?”
Topuria showed no hesitation and accepted, adding he was ready once Paul’s jaw heals. The tension escalated as Paul confidently asserted,
“The thing is, I don’t need the jaw to be healed, because you’re not gonna touch me, bro. You MMA fighters are all trash, I beat all of the best in your sport [in boxing matches].”
Verbal Jabs Extend to Physical and Financial Insults
The verbal duel intensified when Paul mocked Topuria’s UFC earnings, comparing them unfavorably to payouts in boxing. He remarked,
“You make probably $2 million a fight, and he (Dana White) just paid Conor Benn ($15 million).”
Paul added sarcastically,
“Brother, you get paid as much as an NFL rookie. Like, congrats,”
implying Topuria’s compensation was modest. Despite the provocation, Topuria maintained composure and continued to defend himself boldly, warning Paul:
“Listen, I’m gonna give you a combo and take you to the height of my b***s, and you are gonna be on your f****ng knees.”
Ongoing Feud Highlights Divisions Between Boxing and MMA Worlds
This confrontation between Ilia Topuria and Jake Paul spotlights the persistent rivalry between MMA fighters and crossover boxers. While Paul, known as “The Problem Child,” has gained significant attention blending internet fame with boxing, established fighters like Topuria remain critical of his technical skill. The dispute not only reflects personal animosity but also broader tensions regarding legitimacy and skill comparison in combat sports. With the sparring challenge on the table, fans eagerly await a possible face-off, which could further fuel debates around the credibility of both athletes within their respective fields.
https://twitter.com/ChampRDS/status/2027146417114898734
After UFC fighter Ilia Topuria called Jake Paul a bad boxer on Adin Ross’ stream, Jake instantly called in, leading to a HEATED conversation where they began setting up a boxing match 😳🥊🔥
“..jake i’m gonna break your jaw..” pic.twitter.com/1ohhJlMM8q
— Kick HQ (@KickStreamingHQ) February 26, 2026
🚨 Jake Paul just got into it with Ilia Topuria on the phone over UFC fighter pay and says Dana White is his daddy 😭
“You can’t do anything, you probably make $2M a fight and he just paid Conor Benn $15M.”
“You get paid as much as an NFL rookie, congratulations.” pic.twitter.com/GYbXWAWKi9
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) February 26, 2026
