Let's be real for a second. Asking how many more fights till Jake Paul calls it quits is like asking when the Fast & Furious franchise is going to stop making movies. Every time we think we’ve seen the "final boss," a new one appears with more followers and a bigger paycheck.
But right now? Things feel different.
After that brutal encounter with Anthony Joshua in December 2025, the conversation has shifted from "Who's next?" to "Is he okay?" Paul didn't just lose; he left the ring with a jaw broken in two places and a medical suspension that’s going to keep him sidelined for a good chunk of 2026.
If you're looking for a simple number, there isn't one etched in a contract. However, if you look at his PFL deal and the names currently on his manager Nakisa Bidarian’s whiteboard, we can map out exactly what the next 18 months look like.
The Recovery Gap: Why the Next Fight is Further Away Than You Think
Jake Paul is currently on ice. You’ve probably seen the "Impaulsive" clips where he's talking about "baby fever" and supporting his fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. That isn't just fluffy PR. It's a necessity.
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A double jaw fracture isn't like a sprained ankle. It changes how you eat, how you talk, and certainly how you take a punch from a heavyweight. Most medical experts and athletic commissions won't even consider clearing a fighter for contact for at least six to nine months after surgery of this caliber.
So, the count effectively starts in late 2026.
How Many More Fights Till Jake Paul Retires?
If we look at his stated goals before the Joshua fight, Paul mentioned a "three-to-five-fight plan" to reach a world title or a massive MMA crossover. Here is the likely trajectory:
- The Tune-Up (Late 2026): After a year of liquid diets and recovery, Paul isn't jumping back in with a killer. Expect a lower-ranked cruiserweight or a retired UFC legend to help him find his timing again.
- The KSI Mega-Event (Early 2027): This is the "White Whale." Bidarian has already teased Madison Square Garden as the venue. Both sides have hovered around this for years. If the jaw holds up, this is the biggest money fight left on the table.
- The PFL MMA Debut: People forget he’s a part-owner of the Professional Fighters League. He has to fight in the SmartCage eventually. Rumors of an Oleksandr Usyk MMA clash or a Nate Diaz rematch in the cage are the only things that would justify the hype.
- The Title Shot (The End?): Paul has obsessed over a WBA cruiserweight belt. If he wins one, he might just walk away. If he loses a title fight convincingly, the "experiment" likely ends there.
Honestly, the Joshua loss was a wake-up call. The weight difference—Joshua coming in near 245 lbs while Paul is a natural cruiserweight—showed the limits of "The Problem Child's" chin.
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The PFL Factor and the Move to the Cage
When people ask about the fight count, they usually mean boxing. But the how many more fights till Jake Paul question has to include the PFL.
Paul signed a "most disruptive" deal with the PFL back in 2023. We are now years into that deal and he hasn't stepped into the cage once. The PFL is pivoting in 2026, ditching their traditional tournament format for more "super-fight" events. This is built specifically for guys like Jake.
The most likely scenario? He does one more "soft" boxing match to prove his jaw is healed, then makes the jump to MMA for a massive 2027 payday.
Is Retirement Actually on the Table?
Joe Rogan recently went on his podcast and basically begged Paul to stop. "There's a price you pay," Rogan said, referencing the neurological risks of taking heavyweight power shots.
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Paul himself sounded uncharacteristically human on Logan’s podcast recently, saying, "I don't want to die." That's a heavy sentiment from a guy who usually spends his time trolling world champions.
The reality of the 2026-2027 window:
- Physical Limitations: The WBA dropped him from the rankings after the AJ loss. He’s no longer on a fast track to a legitimate boxing title.
- Business Success: Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is doing fine without him in the ring. Amanda Serrano is a legend, and their prospect roster is deep.
- Family Plans: He’s 29. He wants kids. He wants to support Jutta.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the timeline, stop looking at the 2026 summer calendar. It’s empty. Instead, keep your eyes on these three indicators to know when the "count" is resuming:
- The Sparring Footage: When MVP starts releasing "first day back" videos, you’re 12 weeks out from a fight announcement.
- PFL Super-Fight Announcements: If the PFL announces a Dubai or Riyadh card for early 2027, Paul is likely the headliner.
- Cruiserweight Ranking Updates: Watch if he takes a fight against a "journeyman" to get back into the WBA Top 15. If he doesn't, he's given up on the belt and is strictly chasing "show-fights."
Jake Paul has maybe three to four big moments left in him before the risk-to-reward ratio breaks completely. Whether those happen in a boxing ring or a cage remains the only real mystery. For now, the focus isn't on the next opponent—it's on the x-rays.