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Former UFC champion Arlovski Says Paul Learned Lesson After Joshua Knockout

Published

2 months ago

February 6, 2026

Q Tinny

Arlovski reacts to Jake Paul’s knockout loss to Anthony Joshua, saying the bout exposed the gap between social media fame and elite boxing

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski has said Jake Paul may have learned a hard lesson about professional boxing after suffering a knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua in their December bout.

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Paul reportedly lost every round on the scorecards before the contest ended in the sixth round when Joshua landed a decisive right hand. Reports following the fight indicated that Paul sustained a broken jaw.

Speaking to MMA Fighting, Arlovski acknowledged Paul’s endurance but questioned his approach to the sport and the path he took into elite boxing competition.

“I didn’t like it, but Jake Paul had great condition for six rounds,” Arlovski said. “He got his broken jaw. It’s not good. A broken jaw in two places is going to take some time to heal. We’ll see if he comes back.”

Arlovski suggested the experience might give Paul a new perspective on the years of dedication required in combat sports.

“Hopefully, maybe yes, maybe not, he’s going to get back into boxing. But for now, he might understand people who spend 10, 15, 20 years in boxing and MMA. It’s not like you’re training hard for a month in a boxing gym. People spend their lives there,” Arlovski said.

The Belarusian fighter also criticised what he described as Paul’s dismissive attitude towards professional athletes.

“To me, it was kind of disrespectful to professional athletes, to boxers and MMA fighters,” Arlovski said. “I spent the last 25 years in the gym, two or three times a day. You think you can take a shortcut? It’s not cool.”

Paul, a social media personality turned boxer, built an 11-1 record largely by facing mixed martial artists and ageing boxing figures before stepping into the ring with Joshua.