Francis Ngannou Blasts Jake Paul’s Team for ‘Disrespectful’ Offer to Replace Gervonta Davis: “Come on, don’t disrespect me like that.”

Even in the chaotic, headline-hungry world of combat sports, some matchups sound so bizarre they make even the toughest fighters laugh out loud. That was exactly the case when Francis Ngannou — former UFC heavyweight champion and current boxing sensation — revealed that Jake Paul’s team had reached out to him about potentially stepping in for Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Ngannou’s reaction? A mix of disbelief, amusement, and a hint of frustration.

“He was like, ‘We’re thinking about you to fight Jake,’” Ngannou recalled in an interview this week. “I said, ‘What? Which Jake?’”

He paused before breaking into a laugh, shaking his head.

“Bro, come on. Don’t disrespect me like that.”

The quote instantly went viral — not just because of the humor, but because it captures what fight fans love most about Ngannou: his blunt honesty and unshakable self-respect.

The Confusing Offer That Started It All

The situation reportedly began when Jake Paul’s team was scrambling for a new fight setup after talks involving Gervonta Davis, one of boxing’s brightest stars, didn’t pan out. Looking for a headline-grabbing replacement, someone on Paul’s side apparently floated the idea of Ngannou — a man who outweighs Tank Davis by well over 100 pounds.

In Ngannou’s eyes, the idea was not just far-fetched — it was absurd.

“From Tank Davis to me?” he said, laughing. “How can that even make sense? I’m a heavyweight — one punch from me and it’s over. That’s not even in the same universe.”

He isn’t wrong. Davis fights at lightweight — around 135 pounds — while Ngannou, even at his leanest, is a 260-pound wrecking ball with knockout power that has ended careers.

A Man of Two Worlds

Ngannou’s sense of humor about the offer also shows how far he’s come since leaving the UFC. In 2023, the Cameroonian powerhouse shocked the combat sports world when he walked away from the UFC heavyweight title, choosing freedom over fame.

Critics said his decision to leave the world’s biggest MMA organization would end his career. Instead, it became the start of something historic.

Ngannou soon stepped into the boxing ring against Tyson Fury — the undefeated heavyweight champion — and turned what many expected to be a mismatch into one of the most jaw-dropping performances of the year. He knocked Fury down and arguably won the fight on many fans’ scorecards, though the judges narrowly gave it to Fury by split decision.

Since then, Ngannou has been linked to fights with Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua, and other world-class boxers — a testament to his crossover appeal.

So, when Jake Paul’s team came calling with an offer that felt more like a publicity stunt than a professional proposal, Ngannou didn’t hold back.

“Don’t Disrespect Me Like That.”

For Ngannou, the frustration wasn’t about Jake Paul personally — it was about credibility.

Paul, to his credit, has carved a niche in boxing, beating former MMA fighters like Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz, and building a loyal fanbase through showmanship and relentless self-promotion. But to someone like Ngannou — a lifelong fighter who clawed his way out of poverty in Cameroon to become a world champion — the idea of fighting Paul felt like an insult to his legacy.

“I understand entertainment,” Ngannou said. “I understand promotion. But there’s a difference between a show and a real fight. I’ve fought killers — Stipe Miocic, Cyril Gane, Tyson Fury. I’m not out here chasing YouTube fights.”

His response struck a chord across the combat sports community. MMA fans cheered his honesty, while even some of Jake Paul’s supporters admitted the matchup would make no sense.

Jake Paul: Always in the Headlines

Meanwhile, Jake Paul’s camp hasn’t directly commented on Ngannou’s remarks, but the move aligns perfectly with Paul’s history of bold, headline-chasing strategies.

Paul has built his empire not just by boxing, but by creating conversation. Every time he calls out a fighter — whether it’s Canelo Álvarez or Conor McGregor — the internet catches fire. And from a business standpoint, even an outlandish offer to Ngannou guarantees attention.

“Jake knows what he’s doing,” one industry insider said. “Even if Ngannou laughs it off, people are talking about him again. That’s the game.”

Still, for Ngannou — who has spent years proving that he’s more than just a knockout machine — the approach felt like a step backward.

“I’ve worked too hard for this,” he said. “I’ve been in real fights. When someone brings my name up, I expect respect — not jokes.”

The Fans React 💀😭

Unsurprisingly, social media exploded after Ngannou’s comments hit the web.

On X (formerly Twitter), clips of his reaction racked up millions of views in hours. Fans posted memes of Jake Paul standing next to a skyscraper-sized Ngannou, while others joked that it would be “the shortest fight in boxing history.”

One fan wrote,

“From Tank Davis to Francis Ngannou?! That’s like going from a Tesla to a tank. Literally.”

Another quipped,

“Jake Paul’s team must’ve typed ‘fighter with power’ into Google and stopped at the first name that came up.”

Even professional fighters chimed in. Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier tweeted,

“I love Jake Paul’s hustle, but yeah… maybe don’t call Ngannou. He’s not the guy.”

Two Different Paths, One Shared Spotlight

As the dust settles, both men continue to chart their own unique courses in combat sports.

Jake Paul is set to headline another pay-per-view event later this year, with speculation swirling about his next opponent — possibly a rematch with Nate Diaz or a step up against a ranked boxer.

Ngannou, meanwhile, remains focused on his boxing ambitions. After his strong showing against Fury, fans eagerly await confirmation of his next bout, possibly against another heavyweight star.

But one thing’s certain: he won’t be answering calls from YouTube boxers anytime soon.

“Look, I respect Jake for what he’s done,” Ngannou concluded. “He’s brought eyes to boxing. But we’re not in the same world. I fight to prove something to myself — not for clicks.”

The Bottom Line

Francis Ngannou’s journey has always been about respect — earning it, keeping it, and never letting anyone take it from him. So when he laughs off an offer from Jake Paul’s team, it’s not arrogance — it’s a reminder that some fighters have fought their way through too much to be anyone’s publicity stunt.

In an era where hype often outweighs skill, Ngannou stands as a throwback to something purer — a fighter whose power is matched only by his pride.

And as his now-viral quote echoes across the internet — “Don’t disrespect me like that” — the message is loud and clear:

Francis Ngannou doesn’t play for headlines.
He is the headline.