Jake Paul Updates Timeline to Return to Boxing After 2nd Surgery on Jaw Injury, Talks Weight Class

Jake Paul, who had his jaw broken in a loss to Anthony Joshua in December, could be out of the ring for the entirety of 2026.

Paul, who had a second surgery to repair his jaw, gave an update on his timeline on Thursday.

"I got my second surgery recently and the doctor said it will be four, five or six months to even be able to spar to see how the bone is healing," Paul told reporters. "So that puts us maybe late this year or early next year for a fight."

Paul added that when he returns to the ring, he'll do so in a weight class he's more comfortable in.

"Definitely will be a cruiserweight," Paul said. "Joshua's punches hurt way more than people in my weight class. That's where I'm best at, for sure, and where I want to continue to climb in the rankings and make some statements."

While Paul has found some success early in his boxing career, Joshua proved to be too tough an opponent. Paul weighed in at 216.6 pounds ahead of the fight, 26.8 pounds lighter than the former heavyweight champion Joshua.

Paul lasted six rounds with Joshua, but things were never really that close. Joshua landed 48 of his 146 punches thrown, winning every round before the crucial blow that broke Paul's jaw in the sixth round.

"Honestly, I'm not surprised. I just got tired to be honest. There was just so much handling his weight," Paul said after the fight. "I think if I could of had better cardio, I think I could have kept it up and kept on fighting. But he did amazing, he hits really hard, and I just did my personal best."

Paul's next opponent has yet to be determined as he works his way back from injury, but Nakisa Bidarian, the co-founder of Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, hinted at who he could fight next.

"I have the perfect idea. We do the MMA fight with Jake and Conor (McGregor), and then we do the boxing match with Jake and Conor. Perfect co-promotion. Fans get one of the biggest back-to-back fights in history," Bidarian said at the 6:48 mark. "Jake would love to fight Conor McGregor in MMA. Love. Love, love, love."

Paul also said back in December that he is eyeing a fight with Terence Crawford.

For now, Paul will look to get healthy following his second surgery so he can return to the ring sooner rather than later.