Jake Paul has sparked a fresh debate regarding the combat abilities of professional athletes. In a recent post on X, the boxer turned promoter criticized the idea that NBA and NFL players can compete in the ring. He claimed there is a massive gap between professional athleticism and fighting skills.
“It’s insane how people haven’t learned that NBA, NFL, and other professional athletes aren’t fighters,” Paulshared on X. “Sean Strickland worked Maxx Crosby barely trying and Maxx is one of the strongest, biggest, and most athletic in the NFL and SEAN ISNT A BOXER!”
It’s insane how people haven’t learned that NBA, NFL, and other professional athletes aren’t fighters
There’s no difference to what Logan would do to the NFL players and to what I did to Nate Robinson
Why are we still talking about this😅😅
Sean Strickland worked Maxx Crosby…
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 6, 2026
Paul pointed to Nate Robinson’s experience as proof. Robinson was an elite NBA athlete. However, he suffered a viral knockout loss to Paul in a boxing match in 2020. Paul stated that his brother Logan Paul would produce the same results if he fought current NFL players.
Jake Paul Says NFL and NBA Stars Can’t Fight
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jake Paul on the sidelines during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The controversy grew after a video showed UFC fighter Sean Strickland sparring with NFL star Maxx Crosby. Crosby is a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders. He weighs approximately 255 pounds and is known as one of the strongest players in football. In the video, Strickland appeared to control the session with very little effort.
Paul noted that Strickland is a mixed martial artist rather than a professional boxer. Despite this, Stricklandeasily handled the much larger NFL player. Paul used this example to show that even a non-boxer from the fighting world is superior to an elite football player in a combat environment.
The main argument is that being a great athlete does not make someone a great fighter. Football and basketball require speed and strength. Fighting requires specific timing, distance management, and the ability to take a punch. Paul believes fans and athletes overestimate how much football strength helps in a real fight.
This is not the first time Paul has challenged athletes from other sports. He built his early career by defeating former basketball players and MMA fighters. His knockout of Nate Robinson remains his most famous example of this trend. Paul uses these wins to argue that fighting is a unique craft that takes years to master.
Jake Paul claims NFL stars lack fighting skills
Many NFL players have reacted to these claims. Some believe their size and explosive power would give them an advantage over smaller boxers. However, Paul remains confident that a fighter’s technical skill will always win. He ended his statement by questioning why people still believe NFL stars can compete with trained combatants.
The footage of Strickland and Crosby serves as a warning to those who think physical size is enough. It shows that even the most athletic people in the world can look lost in a ring without proper training. Paul continues to use his platform to promote his brand while challenging the reputation of traditional sports stars.