In one of the unexpected callouts, motion movie legend Jean-Claude Van Damme has thrown down the gauntlet to Jake Paul, proposing a hybrid rules fight that may pit his a long time of martial arts experience against Paul’s boxing profession.
The 65-year-old “Muscles from Brussels” took to social media with a direct challenge that has sent shockwaves through the combat sports community. “Let’s arrange a fight—an actual fight. K-1 versus boxing, no low kicks and no elbow strikes. I’m just an everyday guy who simply desires to kick your ass,” Van Damme declared.
65-year-old Jean-Claude Van Damme challenged Jake Paul:
“Let’s arrange a fight an actual fight. K-1 versus boxing, no low kicks and no elbow strikes. I’m just an everyday guy who simply desires to kick your ass”
Open a market on Polymarket I already know who I’m betting on haha pic.twitter.com/jCNZFdRkAt
— sopersone (@sopersone) February 14, 2026
The callout comes at perhaps the bottom point in Paul’s boxing profession. The 27-year-old suffered not only a brutal knockout defeat by the hands of former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua but in addition sustained a broken jaw in the method, requiring immediate medical attention and surgery. The injury has left Paul sidelined indefinitely and facing serious questions on his future in skilled boxing.
Van Damme’s proposed ruleset, K-1 style kickboxing with boxing elements, would theoretically favor the martial arts icon, who built his profession on full-contact karate and kickboxing before transitioning to Hollywood stardom. While Van Damme hasn’t competed professionally in a long time, he’s maintained his training regimen and adaptability well into his sixties, repeatedly posting workout videos that showcase his still-impressive physical condition.
The challenge raises serious questions on combat sports matchmaking ethics. Despite Van Damme’s legendary status and maintained fitness, a fight between a 65-year-old—no matter his background—and a younger skilled fighter would face scrutiny from athletic commissions. Paul’s recent injury only adds one other layer of complexity to the scenario.
Still, the callout has generated massive social media buzz, with fans debating whether this represents real interest from Van Damme or strategic publicity for each parties. Paul has built his boxing profession on unconventional matchups and social media-driven narratives, making this challenge fit squarely inside his established playbook.
Neither Paul nor his team has responded to Van Damme’s challenge, likely specializing in recovery from the Joshua fight. Nonetheless, given Paul’s history of accepting unexpected challenges and his have to rebuild credibility after the crushing defeat, a response seems inevitable.
Whether this develops into an actual bout or stays a viral moment, Van Damme’s challenge has injected unexpected drama into Paul’s post-Joshua narrative and reminded the combat sports world that age is only a number with regards to confidence.