Jake Paul will return to the ring against French MMA fighter Cedric Doumbe in an eight-round cruiserweight bout on 24 Dec at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, according to Paul's announcement. The fight is Paul's first since Anthony Joshua stopped him in the sixth round in December 2025, a loss that broke Paul's jaw in two places. Paul, now 12 wins and 2 losses with seven knockouts, had said in May that his career was in doubt. Doumbe is a former two-time kickboxing world champion. The bout was set under a co-operation agreement between Paul's company MVP and Dubai's sports and tourism authorities, and Khalfan Belhoul, vice chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said it adds to the city's growing calendar of international events. Tickets go on sale on 2 Nov.
Jake Paul
3 stories since 29 October 2026, newest first
2 November 2026
31 October 2026
Jake Paul announced on X that he wants to fight in Dubai on Christmas Eve, following his December defeat by Anthony Joshua. He has named former UFC fighter Darren Till as the most likely opponent. Netflix will not broadcast the event, according to reports. The streaming service recently dismissed Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria and head of film Dan Lin as part of a restructuring overseen by Ted Sarandos.
29 October 2026
Jake Paul will headline a boxing event in Dubai on 24 December, though his opponent remains unnamed. The bout marks his first professional fight in the United Arab Emirates and follows a co‑operation agreement between his promoter Most Valuable Promotions, the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Paul, 29, enters the ring with a 12‑2 record after a broken‑jaw loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025. He says he is more motivated than ever for the comeback.