YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul has officially announced his return to the ring for a high-profile cruiserweight bout against former kickboxing world champion and mixed martial arts star Cédric Doumbé. Promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, the eight-round professionally sanctioned contest is scheduled for December 24, 2026, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Paul added significant personal stakes to the Christmas Eve card, declaring in an official video that he will retire from boxing entirely if Doumbé emerges victorious.
The event represents Paul’s first competitive matchup since suffering a severe injury during his sixth-round knockout defeat against former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Miami in December 2025. The fight left Paul with a jaw broken in two places, necessitating two major surgical procedures in December and February followed by nearly a year of intensive recovery. Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian confirmed that Paul received full medical clearance to resume professional competition after completing his rehabilitation regimen.
Doumbé, a 34-year-old Cameroon-born French fighter, brings extensive elite combat experience to the matchup. A former multi-time Glory kickboxing welterweight champion with a professional kickboxing record of 75-7-1 and 45 knockouts, Doumbé has more recently established himself in mixed martial arts with a 6-1 record. Known for his powerful striking and charismatic public persona, Doumbé represents one of the most decorated strikers Paul has faced inside a boxing ring.
Since stepping into professional boxing in 2020, the 29-year-old Ohio native has compiled a 12-2 record with 7 knockouts, competing primarily in the 200-pound cruiserweight division. His past bouts have included high-profile victories over former MMA champions as well as a widely viewed decision win over Mike Tyson in November 2024. The upcoming Dubai event serves as a critical test for Paul as he seeks to re-enter the cruiserweight rankings and rebuild momentum in his combat sports career.
