VIDEO | Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul have heated backstage altercation: ‘Are you scared?’

Tensions are ramping up between former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul ahead of a potential boxing showdown.

Just minutes after former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s triumphant return to Mixed Martial Arts, he and polarizing boxing star Jake Paul began to plant the seeds of a future fight.

Ngannou and Paul were once business partners in the Professional Fighters League, before things took a swift turn in recent months. After Paul’s TKO loss to Anthony Joshua in his most recent boxing outing, Ngannou struck a nerve with Paul in mocking his performance in the ring.

Things came to a head at the first Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano pre-fight press conference earlier this year, when Ngannou and Paul traded barbs, and Ngannou threatened to ‘beat Jake’s a**’. Before Paul agreed to fight Joshua last year, Ngannou was offered and declined a short-notice fight with Paul, escalating ongoing tensions.

Ngannou returned to the win column with an impressive knockout of Philipe Lins on the Rousey vs. Carano main card last Saturday in Los Angeles. In his post-fight interview, Ngannou seemed to entertain potential showdowns with Paul and Jon Jones for his next fighting appearance.

Things didn’t end there, however, as Ngannou and Paul got into a heated exchange backstage, which Ngannou’s media team captured.

WATCH: Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul enter new stage of feud after Rousey vs. Carano

Watch Ngannou and Paul trade barbs and plant the seeds of a potential fight below.

😬 Behind the scenes footage shows a heated exchange between Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul:

⚡️Francis: “Are you scared?”

⚡️Jake: “No, never”

⚡️Francis: “You should be”

🎥 @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/RMLY4Dzs9f

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 19, 2026

After defeating Lins, it’s unclear whether Ngannou will fight in MMA or boxing for his next combat sports appearance. Meanwhile, Paul recently hinted at potentially retiring due to a jaw injury suffered in his fight with Joshua last year.

In the meantime, things continue to escalate between Ngannou and Paul, and a potential fight could be on the horizon.

Who wins a potential Francis Ngannou vs. Jake Paul boxing match? Let us know in the comments!