TLDR
- Jake Paul suffered a sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua that broke his jaw in two places
- Joe Rogan warned that the knockout caused serious brain damage equivalent to ’10 punches worth’ of trauma
- Paul required surgery with screws and a titanium plate to repair his jaw
- One UFC veteran believes Paul could have survived eight rounds if he made different choices
- Despite the loss, Paul is still discussing future fights including a possible matchup with Francis Ngannou
Jake Paul is facing calls to retire from boxing after suffering a devastating knockout loss to Anthony Joshua that left him with a broken jaw and serious brain injury concerns.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan issued a stark warning about the long-term consequences of continuing to box following Paul’s sixth-round knockout on his recent podcast. The social media star turned boxer was knocked out by a powerful right hand from Joshua that broke his jaw in two places.
“That one was like 10 punches,” Rogan said about the knockout blow. “A lot of concussions in that one punch. That was real damage.”
Paul required surgery to repair his jaw, which now includes several screws and a titanium plate. According to reports, Paul will need to consume his Christmas dinner through a straw while recovering from the injury.
The Price of Boxing Glory
Rogan explained his theory that fighters can only take a limited number of serious punches in their lifetime before experiencing permanent consequences. He warned Paul that continuing to box could lead to severe brain imbalance, depression, and addiction issues.
😬Joe Rogan warns Jake Paul about continue his boxing career, saying he should stop early
“There is a price to pay that is not worth it. The price is deep depression, severe brain damage that’s going to lead you to addiction.
So many people become gambling addicts, drug… pic.twitter.com/smddc6j4xn
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 24, 2025
“Don’t do this very long,” Rogan advised. “There is a price to pay that is not worth it. That price is depression, severe brain imbalance that’s going to lead you to addiction.”
The podcast host pointed to common problems among retired fighters, including gambling addiction, substance abuse, and alcoholism. He believes these issues stem from accumulated brain damage over the course of their careers.
During the fight, Paul managed to avoid Joshua for several rounds before fatigue set in. The knockout punch caught him directly on the chin in the sixth round, though Paul somehow remained conscious despite the impact.
Could Paul Have Gone the Distance?
Despite the brutal outcome, at least one UFC veteran believes Paul had the ability to make it to the final bell. The veteran suggested Paul could have survived all eight rounds if he had made one key adjustment during the fight.
Paul earned approximately $90 million for the bout with Joshua, who brought far more experience and size advantages into the ring. The payday represents one of the largest purses in boxing for someone with Paul’s limited professional experience.
After the loss, Paul initially stated he was done fighting at heavyweight. However, he has already begun discussing potential future matchups, including a possible fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Rogan emphasized that Paul doesn’t need to continue boxing to maintain his wealth and fame. The commentator noted that Paul could return to making YouTube videos and promoting fights while avoiding the physical risks of competing.
Paul has stated he is moving forward with his boxing career despite the injury and warnings from medical experts. The decision will likely depend on whether he can continue to secure massive paydays while weighing the potential for permanent brain damage.
