Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou believes Anthony Joshua will defeat Jake Paul when the two meet on Friday in Miami, Florida, predicting a likely early end to the bout.

Ngannou, who fought Joshua in March 2024 and was stopped by knockout, shared his perspective as Joshua prepares to face Paul, an influencer-turned-boxer who stepped in after Joshua’s originally planned exhibition bout with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis was cancelled following a lawsuit filed against Davis alleging domestic violence.

Speaking about the matchup, Ngannou expressed surprise that Paul agreed to fight a seasoned heavyweight contender. “I was surprised he moved up to heavyweight like and he’s not going for less of a heavyweight,” said Ngannou, to The Ariel Helwani Show. “I think AJ wins. I mean, do you think otherwise?”

Ngannou suggested the fight may not last long, with Joshua’s power proving decisive. “Yeah, I would say so [Paul gets knocked out in the first round]. But why exactly Jake Paul took that fight? That’s what I’m excited to see,” said Ngannou. “You know, what is his strategy.”

He added that expectations are largely stacked against Paul heading into the contest. “AJ versus Jake, I think besides the Jake team, nobody is really like, okay Jake’s got this. He can pull this off,” he added. “Maybe he’s going to surprise us.”

The bout comes after Paul sought a replacement opponent once the Davis exhibition was scrapped, with several fighters, including Ngannou, reportedly contacted before Joshua was finalised.

Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight boxing champion, enters the fight as one of the most accomplished opponents Paul has faced, while Ngannou continues his transition into professional boxing following high-profile bouts against elite heavyweight competition.