Jake Paul jaw surgery fallout: Jake Paul says sparring is months away, return pushed to late this year or early next year
jake paul is still sidelined as he recovers from a jaw injury that worsened after he rushed back too soon. Speaking to media at a Most Valuable Promotions press conference, he said doctors have laid out a months-long recovery window before he can even spar, delaying any clear boxing return. The update follows his December knockout loss to Anthony Joshua, the first knockout defeat of his 14-fight career.
Timeline: Doctors say months before sparring, ring return uncertain
At the press conference, jake paul said he recently underwent a second surgery on his jaw. He relayed the medical guidance he received, saying doctors told him it could take “four, five, six months” before he is able to spar and assess how the bone is healing. He added that timetable puts him “maybe late this year, early next year” to return, tying his next steps directly to how the jaw responds once contact training resumes.
The injury stems from the impact of his most recent boxing bout, in which he was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in December. Paul described the lingering after-effects as serious enough to keep him out of the ring while the recovery process continues.
Immediate reactions: Jake Paul and MVP leadership address next steps
Jake Paul, boxer and Most Valuable Promotions figurehead, was blunt about the physical toll and the forced pause, saying the second jaw surgery came after he returned too quickly from the initial injury. He framed the next phase as a wait-and-see period that hinges on medical clearance and how his jaw holds up once sparring begins.
Even while he remains inactive in boxing, he has continued to speak publicly about future matchups. Paul recently called out Francis Ngannou at Most Valuable Promotions’ press conference ahead of the promotion’s first MMA event, which is scheduled for May 16. Asked if MMA still appeals to him, Paul answered: “Yeah, 100%. ”
He also outlined a specific MMA target, saying he has long wanted to make an MMA fight with Nate Diaz and that he tried “very, very hard multiple times” to make it happen. “I’ve always liked to challenge myself and be a disruptor and do things that people wouldn’t expect me to do… I would be down, ” Paul said, adding that he believes Diaz is “the perfect fight” for him in MMA and that he would still like to make it happen.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, reinforced that position, saying they attempted to book the Diaz fight during their time with PFL and still believe it is worth pursuing.
Quick context: December loss, then a second surgery
Paul’s injury complications trace back to December, when he suffered a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. Paul later shared that he needed a second surgery on his jaw after returning too soon following his initial injury.
What’s next: MMA event on May 16, boxing return dependent on recovery
Most Valuable Promotions is preparing to stage an MMA event on Netflix on May 16, creating a major near-term spotlight for Paul’s broader combat-sports plans even as his boxing timeline remains uncertain. Paul’s next boxing milestone, by his own account, is the ability to spar after the four-to-six month window, with any firm return date dependent on medical feedback and the condition of his jaw once training contact resumes.
