Francis Ngannou admits he wanted to slap Jake Paul in LA

Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul had to be separated backstage after things nearly escalated between them during a press event in Los Angeles earlier this year.

Ngannou, who used to hold heavyweight titles in both the UFC and PFL, is set to face Philipe Lins on the debut card of Most Valuable Promotions MMA, which will stream live on Netflix. The event is promoted by Paul alongside his business partner Nakisa Bidarian, and both were present at the launch event back in March.

Ngannou had been rumoured as a possible replacement opponent for Gervonta Davis when Paul needed one last year. However, it was Anthony Joshua who ended up taking that spot. That history made for an uncomfortable meeting when the two crossed paths behind the scenes at Intuit Dome.

Ngannou admits he almost hit Paul

Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

A lot of people saw the back and forth between Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou during their press conference in LA, but there was another moment caught on camera that happened earlier. A video shared on social media showed a much more relaxed exchange backstage.

Speaking to The Schmo, Ngannou admitted that even though things looked civil, he had to hold himself back from getting physical with Paul. “I just wanted to give him a slap,” he said, though he quickly softened it by saying it wasn’t meant literally.

He also pointed out that after Paul’s broken jaw against Anthony Joshua, the YouTuber might end up returning to cruiserweight. “He is talking a lot of crap,” Ngannou added. “I think and I thought after his first heavyweight fight he would understand, but he’s persistent.”

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