Jake Paul sat down for a sit-down interview with President Donald Trump and quickly asked a question the president may have never answered before.
“Who do you want to see me fight?” Paul asked Trump in the interview, which was posted on the boxer/promoter/YouTuber’s X account on March 11.
advertise
Trump responded: “Well, probably Khabib.”
Like Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC legend retired in 2020 with a 29-0 record after defeating the likes of Conor McGregor.
“I was frustrated,” Paul said, laughing.
The interview apparently took place on March 11, while Paul was attending a Trump political rally in Kentucky.
Despite Trump’s wishes, Paul is unlikely to end up in the Octagon alongside 37-year-old Russian Nurmagomedov, who has not stepped foot inside the Octagon in six years. But Paul told Trump he was interested in mixed martial arts and mentioned some possible opponents.
advertise
The roster: Oleksandr Usyk, unified heavyweight champion; Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion; Ryan Garcia, WBC welterweight champion; Tommy Fury handed Paul his first career loss in 2023.
Paul, 29, said he won’t be able to fight again until the end of the year after suffering a broken jaw in his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December. Paul recently said he needed surgery because he wasn’t getting enough rest during his recovery.
Medical experts told USA TODAY Sports that successful recovery from a broken jaw requires eating soft foods and avoiding strenuous exercise for several weeks after surgery.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump tells Jake Paul he wants to see him play next
