UFC champ Ilia Topuria accepts challenge from Jake Paul: ‘I would love to’

Jake Paul wants to get into the ring with UFC champion Ilia Topuria, and it sounds like his wish may be granted.

Paul, a social media influencer, is one of the biggest stars in boxing today. However, he has spent much of his career so far battling aging UFC veterans, which has been the source of major criticism.

Paul is well aware of that criticism, and on several occasions, has offered to spar young, active UFC fighters to prove that he’s legit. The latest fighter in his crosshairs is lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who might just be the best fighter in the world right now.

Topuria was a guest on a recent Adin Ross stream. During the stream, Paul called in. The pair kept things pretty respectful, but it did not take long for Paul to challenge Topuria to some sparring rounds.

See how it went down below:

UFC champ Ilia Topuria agrees to Jake Paul sparring challenge

Jake Paul and Ilia Topuria just had a crazy back-and-forth on Adin Ross’ stream 😳

🗣️ Jake Paul: “Let’s spar. When I beat your ass in sparring what are you gonna say?”

🗣️ Ilia Topuria: “When you get your jaw healed, let’s do it. Just get ready because you’ll need another period… https://t.co/HRziRn7LSc pic.twitter.com/Xe48q0pShM

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 26, 2026

“I respect you, bro,” Paul began. “I think that you’re awesome. I just think that if you think that I’m a bad boxer, then we should spar.”

“Yeah, whenever you want,” Topuria replied. “I’m open to it. Your jaw is OK, already?”

“Yeah, no, it will be good,” Paul replied. “But every UFC fighter says this, and then I offer to get them a private jet. Paddy Pimblett wanted to spar, and I offered to send him my jet and $1 million, and he wouldn’t do it. So, we should actually do it.”

From there, Topuria began to criticize Paul’s ability as a boxer — though he also paid the influencer a few compliments.

Topuria to Paul: ‘As a Boxer, You Suck’

“Something I respect about you is your attitude,” Topuria said. “You have a great attitude, and you always show up, and you love the challenges. Actually, if I put you in a group of streamers, YouTubers, and all that, I think you are the best boxer in there. But if we are talking about the greatest, and really boxers, I would never put you in that list.

“I have my personal opinion, and I’m saying that as a boxer, you suck. Because I don’t think you have good boxing. You’re just an average level of boxer, which is respect, for me. I respect it.”

That remark led Paul to challenge Topuria to spar again, and the UFC champ once again accepted.

“Let’s spar,” Paul said again. “And when I beat your ass in sparring, what will you say then?”

“Whenever you get your jaw healed, let’s do it,” Topuria replied. “But just get ready, because you’re going to need another period of time to recover.

“I would love to fight you,” the UFC champ concluded. “I swear, let’s fight. Let’s do it. Let’s spar. Whatever. I spar every week. I do it. That’s my life.”

Topuria does not have a fight booked. In his last three fights, he’s knocked out Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski. He has some of the best striking in all of MMA.