Jake Paul undergoes second jaw surgery after screws and titanium plates loosen following knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in Miami

It’s been a rough couple of months for Jake Paul — and not just in the ring.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer has revealed he needed a second operation on the jaw he shattered during his brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua back in December.

Paul shared the update himself, telling fans that the screws and titanium plates inserted after the fight had started to come loose.

The reason? He didn’t exactly follow doctor’s orders.

“Apparently I didn’t rest for the past two months,” he admitted on Instagram, sounding half amused and half exasperated.

The Night Everything Changed in Miami

The injury traces back to Paul’s high-profile clash with Joshua in Miami.

Many fans expected the fight to end quickly, given Joshua’s power — 25 knockouts in 28 wins coming into the bout — but Paul shocked plenty of skeptics by surviving five rounds.

That changed in the sixth.

Joshua landed the punch that ended the contest and fractured Paul’s jaw in two places.

Despite the severity of the injury, Paul reportedly drove himself to the hospital after the fight.

The following day, December 20, surgeons removed several teeth and fitted titanium plates to stabilize the break.

It was a dramatic and painful end to what had been Paul’s first true test at heavyweight level.

Rushing the Recovery

Instead of taking time off, Paul appeared to jump right back into his hectic lifestyle — business commitments, training sessions, travel, and public appearances.

That decision seems to have caught up with him.

On Friday, he posted images and video clips from a hospital bed, with his fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, by his side as he was wheeled through corridors ahead of the second procedure.

Doctors had to operate again after the hardware in his jaw began shifting — something that can happen if healing bones are put under too much strain too soon.

Medical experts often warn that jaw fractures require strict rest, limited speaking, careful eating, and avoiding physical stress.

For someone like Paul — who rarely slows down — that may have been easier said than done.

A Career at a Crossroads

The defeat to Joshua marked Paul’s first loss at heavyweight and arguably the toughest night of his boxing career.

He had originally been preparing for a much smaller opponent in Gervonta Davis before pivoting to face Joshua at short notice.

It was a massive leap in competition and size.

While Paul earned respect for stepping up, the physical toll was undeniable.

Earlier this month, Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian hinted that Paul is aiming for a return in 2026 — and likely a move back down to cruiserweight, where he may feel more physically comfortable.

A properly healed jaw will be non-negotiable before any comeback plans move forward.

Supporting Leerdam on the Olympic Stage

Even while recovering, Paul hasn’t exactly disappeared from the spotlight.

In recent days, he’s been in Italy supporting Leerdam at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

The Dutch speed skating star had a remarkable Games, winning gold and silver and breaking the Olympic record in the 1,000 meters.

Watching from the stands, Paul was visibly emotional, bursting into tears after her gold-medal performance.

Leerdam’s success could translate into major financial rewards.

Reports suggest she may command an eight-figure windfall following her two-medal haul, boosted by sponsorship deals with global brands such as Nike, SKIMS, Hema, and Red Bull.

One viral moment — briefly revealing a Nike sports bra in celebration — was said to be worth a reported $1 million alone.

For Paul, who has built his career as much on spectacle as sport, it’s another reminder of how commercial power and athletic achievement often intersect.

What’s Next?

For now, recovery is the priority.

Paul will need to allow the jaw to properly heal before returning to full training.

Doctors typically recommend several months of limited impact following complex fractures, especially when surgical plates are involved.

If all goes smoothly, 2026 could mark his comeback year — potentially at cruiserweight rather than heavyweight.

Whether he seeks a rematch with Joshua or pivots toward other big-name opponents remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: Paul’s willingness to take risks inside the ring hasn’t changed.

But this latest setback may finally force him to slow down — at least temporarily.

Summary

Jake Paul has undergone a second surgery on the jaw he broke during his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December.

The screws and titanium plates inserted after the fight reportedly came loose because he did not rest properly during recovery.

The defeat marked his first at heavyweight, and he is now targeting a potential return in 2026, likely at cruiserweight.

Despite the setback, Paul has remained in the public eye, recently supporting fiancée Jutta Leerdam at the Winter Olympics, where she won gold and silver in Milan-Cortina.