Jake Paul has said he is open to do what’s needed to get UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov as an opponent, after President Donald Trump told him it was the fight he would want to see.

“I’m down. I’ll build [a village in Dagestan] myself,” Paul affirmed, referring to Nurmagomedov’s home region.

Paul has made a name in boxing by fighting and winning against former UFC stars like Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, Tyron Woodley, and Ben Askren, losing just twice against two more puritan boxers in Tommy Fury and Anthony Joshua. 

Despite having previously signed with PFL and promising to debut there, Paul will be marking his first foray into MMA through Most Valuable Promotions’ card headlined by Ronda Rousey versus Gina Carano on Netflix, May 16. And with that has come a fresh interest in entering MMA as a fighter, as he told Trump during an interview in March. 

After running through potential opponents in boxing and stating his interest in crossing over while plugging May 16, Paul asked Trump who he’d want him to face. “Probably Khabib,” Trump replied. “I think when they say he was the best, he was great.”

Paul was asked about that fight during an interview with “Complex Sports” and said he would be down to do it either in boxing or MMA. 

“I think that’s a really good match-up,” he said. “I’ve always said one of the biggest fights that can happen in the world is me versus [Conor] McGregor in MMA. But also me versus Khabib in MMA would be massive. So, we need to get Khabib out of retirement. 

He recognized that would be easier said than done. “I don’t think it would be about the money for him. Maybe if it was for a good cause or something that we could do together, that would be interesting.” 

ESPN broadcaster Pat McAfee made a mostly successful transition into WWE, mainly acting as a commentator while being involved in storylines, like his brief return for WrestleMania 42. Fellow ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith was notably asked about his love for pro wrestling and whether he’d consider becoming a manager, claiming that he’s had talks with WWE President Nick Khan, and it seems like officials in WWE are open to the idea.

Per a report on “Fightful Select” via “WrestleVotes Radio,” higher ups in WWE are “pleased and enthusiastic” about Smith potentially getting involved in WWE, especially since he also has good relationships with several TKO officials. The report further claimed that “there is an expected payoff for his involvement expected and pitched for this summer,” making Smith seemingly a lock to appear on WWE programming sooner rather than later.

During an appearance on “ESPN’s First Take,” WWE COO Paul “Triple H” Levesque discussed the pro wrestling business with Smith, suggesting that he could be in the right shape to step into the shoes of a manager. Smith was similarly enthusiastic about the prospect of having a run in WWE, proclaiming he’d aspire to usurp Paul Heyman. Smith praised Heyman’s work in pro wrestling as a manager, claiming he’s the best to ever take on the role, but said someone has to take him down. Smith has also proclaimed that if there was anyone he’d love to manage, it would be Heyman’s former client, World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns.

Mark Hunt provided an update on new litigation having previously failed in suing Dana White, Brock Lesnar, and UFC in the years since his fight with Lesnar in 2016. 

Lesnar returned at UFC 200 for a one-off fight with Hunt while still signed to WWE, beating him before the decision was overturned to a no-contest after Lesnar tested positive for performance enhancers. Hunt has since 2017 tried to sue UFC, White, and Lesnar alleging racketeering, fraud and breach of contract amongst a litany of claims. 

The litigation has been shot down multiple times in different courts, most recently in the Ninth Circuit of Appeals last year. But Hunt has since indicated an intent to continue his pursuit, providing an update on social media about a new lawsuit he is filing – as he alluded to while addressing his recent domestic violence arrest.

“We nearly there omg. How excting @amaorifantail. The HUNT precedent cometh, we changing all contact sports EQUALITY is what I have been after for nearly a decade and the false narrative put on me by Dana White, every time someone says I have CTE it’s damages IIED revictimizing over and over again,” Hunt wrote via X. 

We nearly there omg 😧 how exciting @amaorifantail ❤️the HUNT precedent cometh we changing all contact sports EQUALITY is what I have been after for nearly a decade and the false narrative put on me by @danawhite every time someone says I have CTE it’s damages IIED revictimising… pic.twitter.com/nMPUn5B0KY

— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) April 28, 2026

Hunt indicated he was working on a new lawsuit while addressing his arrest earlier this month. 

“We got into a heated argument over a filing in a lawsuit that we’re doing,” Hunt said of incident that led to his arrest. In court, it was alleged that Hunt had sent a text message saying he would “murder you in the end anyway,” but he was released on conditions including an apprehended violence order.

At Royal Rumble 2025, Nikki Bella made her return to WWE after a three year hiatus from the promotion, entering in the Evolution Battle Royal, and feuds with Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer, before reuniting with her sister, Brie Bella, at this year’s Royal Rumble.

Unfortunately for Nikki, she suffered an injury ahead of WrestleMania 42, and during an episode of her “Nikki and Brie” podcast, she revealed that she broke, tore, and sprained her ankle, and despite surgery will be out for at least six to eight weeks. 

“So, you can find me here if you’re missing me, guys, and not seeing me on the WWE TVs…You never know when I’ll show up,” she suggested, with her eyes on the Women’s World Championship. “Knowing that Liv [Morgan] just won it, and there’s a lot of unfinished business there, and then I was like: ‘Oh wait!’ you know?” 

The WWE Hall of Famer pointed out that she could nullify Judgment Day’s numbers advantage.

 “Liv has Judgment Day and I technically have Paige and Brie; we can team Bella,” Nikki said, but she isn’t only interested in helping out as an active competitor.

“I would love to be the General Manager of Raw at one point,” she said, claiming she was inspired by a fan suggesting it online. Though “WWE Raw” is still very much under the stewardship of Adam Pearce.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit the “Nikki and Brie” podcast, and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

It almost pains me in a way to say what I’m about to say, particularly because I really like Aleister Black/Malakai Black as a performer. I was a fan of his when he was breaking through in the US as Tommy End ten years ago. For all its flaws, I enjoyed his run in AEW; his presentation and theme music were terrific, the House of Black trios matches were generally all good, and Black’s feud with Adam Copeland may be the best non-Christian related thing Copeland has done in AEW. In another universe, there would definitely be a scenario where I’d say Black should be brought back to AEW.

Alas, this isn’t a “Fringe” style alternate universe; this is the prime universe, and here Black is the guy who many, including some of the AEW roster, believe didn’t want to do business while he was there. So you have the potential problem of Black alienating some in the locker room, and the locker room getting upset if he was brought back. There’s also the fair question of whether Black, at this stage of his career, is more worthy of getting TV time than some of the AEW talent that’s already on air, or maybe fighting to get time. Throw in Black’s injury history, and the fact that a House of Black reunion would be counterproductive to King’s growth, and this all just seems like a bad idea. Maybe in time, if Black shows he’s turned over a new leaf or learned a lesson, AEW can revisit this. But for now, I think it would be best if AEW left Aleister Black/Malakai Black alone, and not bring him back.