Jake Paul Set for Christmas Eve Boxing Comeback Against Kickboxing Star Cedric Doumbe in Dubai

Jake Paul is scheduled to face French mixed martial artist Cedric Doumbe in Dubai on Christmas Eve, marking his return to the ring after a year-long hiatus. The 29-year-old American is expected to be the favorite in the eight-round cruiserweight boxing match, which will take place at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 24. Paul, whose record stands at 12-2 with 7 knockouts, has not competed since suffering a double jaw fracture in a knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in December 2025. He announced his comeback last Thursday, confirming his intention to resume his career in the UAE following a collaboration between his company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the Dubai Sports Council, and Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Paul commented, "Cedric Douchebag was calling me out two years ago after knocking some dude out in nine seconds. Well, Douchebag, now you get your chance. 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." MVP, established in 2021, has become a significant entity in combat sports, largely due to Paul's own boxing career. He has competed against a diverse range of opponents, including boxers, UFC athletes, NBA players, and notably, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a record-breaking bout streamed on Netflix in 2024. Khalfan Belhoul, vice chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, stated, "Our growing calendar of major international events reflects both the city’s rising stature and thirst for global sport and the confidence organisers place in our ability to deliver outstanding experiences. Welcoming Jake Paul’s return to the ring adds another compelling occasion to that calendar." Doumbe, 34, is a former two-time Glory kickboxing world champion with a 6-1 MMA record, including a tenure with the PFL. He has had one professional boxing match, winning in 2015. Doumbe remarked, "Jake Paul calls himself the 'Problem Child', but he's never faced a problem like me – he has no idea what a Frenchman is capable of. 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." Tickets for the fight will be available on the Coca-Cola Arena's official website starting November 15 at midday, with an option for fans to register for presale access.