The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Daniel Cormier TV — DC WARNS Jake Paul: "STAY AWAY from Francis Ngannou!"
Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Daniel Cormier (via The Volume)
Episode Overview
This episode of Daniel Cormier TV (featured on The Herd) centers on the recent collapse of the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis boxing match and Jake Paul's provocative challenge to heavyweight powerhouse Francis Ngannou. Cormier dissects the boxing business, Jake Paul's calculated matchmaking, and bluntly warns Paul against stepping into the ring with Ngannou. Throughout, Cormier mixes analysis, industry insights, and energizing commentary in his signature style.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Studio Updates and Podcast Growth (02:44)
- Cormier opens with news about transitioning to a new studio, attributing the show's growth to team efforts and fan support.
2. The Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis Debacle (03:00–08:28)
- Cormier unpacks the now-cancelled fight:
- Mismatch from the start: Paul’s size (heavyweight/cruiserweight) vs. Davis’ lightweight (135 lbs) made the bout absurd.
“How in the world is a guy that fights at heavyweight … fighting a guy that fights at 135 pounds? It was a nightmare to start, right?” — Daniel Cormier [03:08]
- Boxing vs. MMA culture: Different audiences and entourages create logistical and cultural challenges.
- Event cancellation: Cormier quotes Most Valuable Promotions’ CEO Nikisa Bedarian, confirming the fight is off but Paul still aims to headline on Netflix in 2025.
“We will not be moving forward with this event ... our plan still remains for Jake to headline on Netflix in 2025.” — Nikisa Bedarian (read by Cormier) [05:13]
- Cormier’s blunt assessment: The fight should have “never gotten started.”
- Mismatch from the start: Paul’s size (heavyweight/cruiserweight) vs. Davis’ lightweight (135 lbs) made the bout absurd.
3. Jake Paul Criticizes Gervonta Davis (08:29–09:20)
- Cormier reads and reacts to Jake Paul’s viral statement slamming Davis for alleged unprofessionalism and legal issues:
“Davis is an actual walking human piece of garbage … working with him is an absolute nightmare.” — Jake Paul (read by Cormier) [08:32]
- Cormier notes Davis’ confusion over fight terms, and the lost payday for what would have been only an exhibition.
4. Jake Paul’s Matchmaking: Calculation or Cowardice? (09:20–11:25)
- Paul is often criticized for “cherry-picking” safer or smaller-name opponents, but Cormier contextualizes this in boxing tradition:
“He was choosing fights that were safe … but they were bigger name opponents because MMA people recognized [them]. But the reality is what Jake Paul was doing is what every boxer does.” — Daniel Cormier [10:03]
- Compares to early careers of the biggest boxing stars (Andre Ward, Floyd Mayweather).
- Cormier admits this “sounds like … defending Jake Paul,” but dismisses the notion that Paul is uniquely manipulative.
5. The Francis Ngannou Call-Out — and Cormier’s Stark Warning (11:28–13:26)
- Transition: After the Davis fallout, Paul pivots to taunting Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion.
“Dear Francis, just say you already got humiliated in boxing and are scared to lose to Jake Paul…” — Jake Paul (read by Cormier) [11:44]
- Ngannou dismisses the idea, calls the fight nonsensical.
- Cormier’s response is emphatic:
“Jake Paul does not want any Francis Ngannou problems. He don’t. He does not want those issues.” — Daniel Cormier [12:24]
- Acknowledges Paul’s self-promotion, but warns the physical risk is enormous.
- Boldly states that against a heavyweight like Ngannou, the outcome would be dire for Paul, regardless of what Anthony Joshua did to Ngannou.
6. Francis Ngannou Responds to Jake Paul (17:31)
- Ngannou fires back on social media:
“Choose your words wisely. Boy, I agree that you need someone to discipline you for what you did to Mike Tyson, but stay in your lane.” — Francis Ngannou (read by Cormier) [12:43]
7. Marketing Genius or Real Risk? (17:31–19:59)
- Cormier analyzes whether Paul actually wants the Ngannou fight or is just seeking media heat:
- “Maybe Jake ain't poking his chest out. Maybe he really does want to fight Francis Ngannou.” — Daniel Cormier [17:42]
- Notes Paul would only fight Ngannou with distinct rules/timeline — possibly when Ngannou is underprepared or has to come down in weight.
- Admits that if Paul actually takes such a dangerous fight, he’ll deserve credit, but Cormier doubts it will truly happen.
8. Jake Paul’s Mastery of the Hype Cycle (19:30)
- Praises Paul’s ability to redirect narratives to maintain headlines:
“He has now spun that into us talking about him fighting Francis Ngannou. Jake Paul never needed Gervonta Davis … He used him … he’s started another conversation and now it involves Francis Ngannou. He knows how to market himself.” — Daniel Cormier [19:38]
- Warns again with a memorable summary:
“You play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. Stupid prize will be fighting Francis Ngannou.” — Daniel Cormier [20:07]
9. Final Thoughts: Paul Is a Boxer, But Stay Away from Ngannou (20:30–21:37)
- Encourages skepticism: Asks if fans really believe Paul intends to fight Ngannou or is playing media games.
- Urges respect for Paul’s achievements — but underscores the gulf between influencer boxing and true heavyweight punishment.
“I think it’s time we stop doubting Jake Paul … he’s a professional boxer. But … stay away from Francis Ngannou.” — Daniel Cormier [21:05]
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
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On the Paul-Davis matchmaking farce:
“We are almost exactly where we should have never started. This should have never gotten started, but it did.” — Daniel Cormier [04:39]
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On boxing’s early-career opponent selection:
“They literally have only fought people that barely have a beating pulse.” — Daniel Cormier [10:17]
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On the perils of fighting Ngannou:
“All it takes is for one to land and he gonna put you out … Francis will knock his head off this planet.” — Daniel Cormier [17:41, 12:31]
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Blunt summary advice:
“Stay away from Francis Ngannou. If you ain't a guy like Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury.” — Daniel Cormier [20:46]
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On influencer boxing and spectacle:
“He used [Davis] to light a fire and start a conversation … and now it involves Francis Ngannou. He knows how to market himself.” — Daniel Cormier [19:38]
Important Segment Timestamps
- [02:44] – Cormier opens, discusses new studio
- [03:00–08:28] – Analysis of Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis and fight cancellation
- [08:29–09:20] – Jake Paul’s scathing remarks on Davis
- [09:20–11:25] – Paul’s matchmaking strategy contextualized
- [11:28–13:26] – Jake calls out Ngannou; Cormier’s warning
- [17:31] – Ngannou’s response and Cormier on the potential bout
- [19:30–21:05] – Paul’s marketing, risk assessment, and Cormier’s final advice
Tone & Style
Cormier’s delivery is candid, conversational, and sometimes irreverent. He balances insider combat sports knowledge with plain talk and wry humor, frequently interjecting strong opinions and memorable phrases for impact.
Summary Takeaway
Daniel Cormier forcefully argues that Jake Paul may be an excellent self-promoter and now a genuine professional boxer, but there's a chasm between spectacle fights and top-tier heavyweight boxing. Tangling with Francis Ngannou, Cormier warns, is a “stupid game” with an even “stupider prize.”