Jake Paul to Face Cedric Doumbe in Dubai Ring Return

Jake Paul returns against Cedric Doumbe in Dubai on Christmas Eve

Jake Paul will face Cédric Doumbé in an eight-round cruiserweight bout on Dec. 24 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Most Valuable Promotions announced Monday. The match will be contested at 200 pounds using 10-ounce gloves, marking Paul’s first appearance back in the ring following the first knockout loss of his professional career.

Recovery from Anthony Joshua knockout sets up December comeback

Paul last fought in December 2025, when heavyweight veteran Anthony Joshua handed him his first career defeat via knockout. The loss came with a fractured jaw that required two surgeries to repair. Before that setback, the YouTube star held a 12-2 professional boxing record and a six-fight win streak that included victories over Mike Tyson, Mike Perry, and Nate Diaz.

Cédric Douchebag was calling me out two years ago after knocking some dude out in 9 seconds, Paul said in a release. 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.

Cedric Doumbe brings knockout power from kickboxing and MMA

Doumbé enters the matchup with a 6-1 mixed martial arts record featuring a 100 percent knockout rate. He built his combat sports reputation as a kickboxer, accumulating 45 knockouts during his kickboxing career and winning two titles inside the GLORY ring. After transitioning to mixed martial arts, he fought twice in PFL—including a nine-second knockout—before a freak loss caused by a splinter. His most recent MMA bout took place in May 2024 under the Bellator banner, where he stopped Jaleel Willis in one round.

Jake Paul calls himself the Problem Child, but he’s never faced a problem like me, Doumbé stated in a release. He has no idea what a Frenchman is capable of, and on Thursday, December 24 in Dubai, I’m going to eat ‘El Poulet’ for dinner.

Upcoming press conferences in Paris and Dubai

Both fighters are scheduled to meet face-to-face next week at press conferences held in Paris and Dubai to promote the Christmas Eve event. MVP has not yet released official broadcast details for the Coca-Cola Arena fight card.