Jake Paul Cleared for Early-2027 Return as Strickland Calls Him Out

Jake Paul's long road back to the ring is nearly over. The crossover star has been medically cleared to fight again, ten months after suffering a broken jaw against Anthony Joshua in December 2025, and is targeting a return in early 2027.

Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian confirmed the news on X, ending a layoff that required two jaw surgeries — one in December and another in February. Paul has not fought since the Joshua defeat, and a comeback early next year would stretch his absence beyond a full calendar year.

The announcement has already sparked a queue of potential opponents. Paul himself recently listed Canelo Alvarez, Francis Ngannou, Conor McGregor and UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland among the names on his radar — and Strickland wasted no time throwing his hat into the ring, expressing interest in facing the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

Expect Paul's team to be calculated about the comeback. After such a serious injury and lengthy absence, jumping straight into a dangerous matchup would be a gamble; a tune-up to shake off the ring rust looks the likelier route. But with Strickland calling him out and the big names circling, the 2027 return already has the makings of a blockbuster.