Dubai Boxing Card: Jake Paul Returns December 24

Most Valuable Promotions announced on Monday that Jake Paul will face Cédric Doumbé on December 24 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The eight-round contest will take place at the 200-pound cruiserweight limit using 10-ounce gloves. This matchup serves as Paul's professional return following his defeat by Anthony Joshua in December 2025.

Paul, 29, enters the fight with a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses. His seven victories by knockout stand in contrast to the first knockout defeat of his career, which occurred against Joshua. That loss resulted in fractures in two areas of his jaw, necessitating multiple surgical procedures. His previous professional loss dates back to February 2023, when he fought Tommy Fury.

In a statement released alongside the announcement, Paul addressed Doumbé's history of challenging him since 2024. "I’m rusty, my jaw is janky and I don’t have kickboxing world titles like you do. But guess what, this isn't kickboxing mon ami. This is BOXING. Just like Usyk feasted on Rico Verhoeven, I am going to eat you for dinner in Dubai on Christmas Eve," Paul said. He noted that he would celebrate with a Coca-Cola at the arena after the victory.

Doumbé, 34, brings a long history in combat sports to the ring. The Cameroon-born French fighter holds two GLORY kickboxing world titles. He compiled a kickboxing record of 75 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw, with 45 of those wins coming by knockout. He later transitioned to mixed martial arts, where he recorded six wins in seven professional appearances. All of his MMA victories were by knockout. His most recent major performance occurred in September 2023 in Paris, where he stopped Jordan Zebo in nine seconds. Doumbé also secured one professional boxing victory in 2015.

Doumbé responded to Paul's comments in his own statement. "Jake loves to talk and so do I, but after what Joshua did to his jaw, I’m not sure how much talking he has left. I’m going to finish the job Joshua started," Doumbé said. He described himself as a problem Paul had never faced before.

Promotional press conferences are scheduled for November 10 in Paris and November 12 in Dubai. Both events will be open to the public. Tickets for the December 24 fight will go on sale on November 15, with presale opportunities available before that date. Broadcast and streaming details for the event have not yet been released.

The bout marks the first time Paul has competed since his jaw injuries and the first time Doumbé has fought a professional boxing opponent since 2015.