Last Friday, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul made history by becoming the 7th person to defeat Mike Tyson in a boxing match. Paul secured a unanimous decision victory over the legendary fighter, often regarded as one of the greatest of all time. Controversy had surrounded the bout, held in Dallas and streamed on Netflix, ever since its announcement. Despite the debates, the fight became a massive success, amassing over 106 million views since its release.

Now, the biggest question looms: who’s next for Jake Paul? Speculation is rife, with oddsmakers predicting big names like Canelo Alvarez, KSI, Tommy Fury, and UFC superstar Conor McGregor as potential opponents. However, the internet was recently left in shock when a tweet allegedly from UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov went viral. The tweet read, “26 September 2025, I’m ready Jake…,” sparking rumors of a possible return from ‘Eagle’, who famously retired undefeated.

This unexpected development has fans wondering if Jake Paul could accomplish what even Dana White couldn’t—luring Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement. But is there any truth to this viral claim? Let’s dive deeper to uncover the facts.

Is Khabib Nurmagomedov Returning to Face Jake Paul?

The tweet allegedly from Khabib Nurmagomedov hinting at a fight with Jake Paul appears to be fake, as there is no evidence of such a post on his verified Twitter account. Even if the tweet was deleted, it doesn’t add up, especially considering Jake Paul, during his five-win streak back in 2022, had already tried to lure ‘Eagle’ out of retirement. However, the UFC Hall of Famer, who retired with an unblemished 29-0 record after defeating Justin Gaethje in his final UFC bout in 2020, dismissed any possibility of facing Paul in MMA or boxing.

When Paul previously called out Khabib Nurmagomedov as a potential opponent, the former UFC champion responded, shutting down the notion entirely. ‘Eagle’ stated, “[A fight] with me? Come on. Jake Paul, I don’t think so. In MMA, [he would last] a couple [of] minutes. He’s a little late because I’m finished.” This makes it clear that the Dagestani native had no interest in engaging with Paul even at the peak of the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s hype.

Financial speculation also doesn’t lend to the idea that ‘The Eagle’ wants to fight ‘The Problem Child’. Earlier this year, reports emerged about Nurmagomedov’s alleged unpaid taxes amounting to approximately 3.3 million rubles (around $300,000), leading to assets worth $920,000 being seized by Russian authorities. However, the Dagestani native later resolved the matter, settled his debts, and briefly relocated to the UAE. With this financial issue now behind him, there is no longer any plausible reason for Khabib to consider stepping out of retirement to face Jake Paul.

So, what’s next for Khabib Nurmagomedov? Simply put, it’s not competing inside the cage—at least not for now. ‘Eagle’ has redirected his focus to training and mentoring his team, guiding their careers from the sidelines. This seems to be leading him towards a possible confrontation with Conor McGregor once again.

Is McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov 2.0 in the making?

The rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is one of the most intense and talked-about in MMA history, unmatched in its level of trash talk and physical altercations. It all started with the infamous ‘bus attack,’ which led to UFC 229—a moment that fighters have since tried to replicate, but none have succeeded. The event broke records for PPV sales, and every fighter and promotion has tried to replicate that success, but to no avail.

However, it seems that the rivalry will reignite once again, as ‘The Notorious’ and ‘The Eagle’ are set to be involved in an event in Dubai on January 25. Nurmagomedov’s cousin, Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, will fight Conor McGregor’s fan-favorite challenger, Paul Hughes, at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.

The senior Nurmagomedov recently confirmed that he will be cornering his cousin, while rumors suggest McGregor may also be present to support Hughes. This matchup, though drawing mixed reactions from fans, is primarily generating interest for the long-awaited reunion between McGregor and Nurmagomedov, who haven’t faced off in six years.

Now, the ball is in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz’s court, as they hold the key to revealing whether Nurmagomedov is genuinely considering a fight with Jake Paul or if it’s just a fan-made hoax. Share your thoughts below.