Updated March 13, 2026, 4:52 p.m. ET
Jake Paul scored a sit-down interview with President Donald Trump and quickly posed a question the president has probably never had to answer before.
“Who would you want to see me fight?’’ Paul asked Trump in the interview, posted March 11 on the boxer/promoter/YouTuber’s X account.
Replied Trump, “Well, probably Khabib.”
As in Khabib Nurmagomedov, the legendary UFC fighter who retired in 2020 with a record of 29-0 after crushing the likes of Conor McGregor.
“I’m down,” Paul said with a smile of the potential matchup.
The interview apparently took place March 11, when Paul attended a Trump political rally in Kentucky.
Despite Trump’s wishes, it’s unlikely Paul will end up in the Octagon with Nurmagomedov, a 37-year-old Russian who has not stepped inside the Octagon in six years. But Paul told Trump that he’s interested in mixed martial arts and mentioned some possible opponents.
The list: Oleksandr Usyk, the unified heavyweight boxing champion; Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion; Ryan Garcia, the WBC welterweight boxing champion; and Tommy Fury, who 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. Recently Paul said he needed surgery because he didn’t get enough rest during the recovery.
Medical experts have told USA TODAY Sports successful healing from a broken jaw would require eating soft foods and avoiding strenuous exercise for several weeks after the surgery.
Where Trump watched Paul vs. Joshua
Trump did not sit ringside at Paul’s fight against Joshua at Kaseya Center in Miami Dec. 19, but apparently he still had a VIP seat. Trump said he watched the right on Air Force One. Trump said there was a “whole, plane full” of people watching.
“I watched you and I thought you were very brave,” Trump said. “He’s a pretty big guy. He’s good. And look, he’s a legitimate fighter. And I thought you were great. You did yourself no harm.”
“No,” Paul said in agreement.
“Other than your chin maybe,” Trump said.
Replied Paul, “Other than the jaw, which is healing.”
And when it comes to Air Force One, inquiring minds want to know.
“How big is the TV on Air Force One?’’ Paul asked.
Replied Trump, “It’s good, it’s good. The best you can have, I’ll tell you. They view it a cost is no object, right?”
So much for formality
Paul, wearing a suit, opened the interview with, “Mr. President, what an honor.”
But things took a decidedly informal tone after that.
Six times, Paul said to Trump, “Thank you, man.”
And once Paul said to Trump, “Yeah, man.”
