Jake Paul will return to the ring on December 24 in Dubai to face mixed martial arts star Cedric Doumbe, a year after the YouTuber-turned-boxer had his jaw broken in two places in a loss to former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The fight is a “professionally sanctioned 8-round cruiserweight bout,” Paul's promotion company, Most Valuable Promotions, said. Paul, 29, slipped out of the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight rankings after the sixth-round knockout by Joshua in Miami last December, after which he needed surgery.
Paul has won 12 of his 14 professional bouts since turning to boxing in 2020, including a victory over 58-year-old Mike Tyson in 2024. He has fought primarily at the 200-pound (90.7-kilogram) cruiserweight class.
Doumbe, a Cameroon-born Frenchman, is a former kickboxing world champion who now competes in mixed martial arts.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Jake Paul's return draws attention to the crossover between boxing and MMA, following a major defeat.
- The fight is scheduled for Christmas Eve, a potential high-profile event for combat sports fans.
Background
Jake Paul began his professional boxing career in 2020 after gaining fame as a YouTube personality. He has fought a mix of retired stars and active fighters, with his most notable loss coming against Anthony Joshua in December 2025. Cedric Doumbe is a former kickboxing world champion who transitioned to MMA.
What to Watch
- Whether Paul can rebound from his jaw injury and defeat a seasoned kickboxer and MMA fighter.
- The fight's outcome could affect Paul's future in boxing and his WBA ranking prospects.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedJake Paul will face Cedric Doumbe in a Dubai bout on Christmas Eve.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The 29-year-old Paul will face mixed martial arts (MMA) star Cedric Doumbe on December 24 in Dubai”
- SupportedPaul returns after having his jaw broken in two places in his loss to Anthony Joshua, about a year earlier.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Jake Paul is returning to the ring a year after the YouTuber-turned-boxer had his jaw broken in two places in a loss to former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.”
- SupportedThe fight is a “professionally sanctioned 8-round cruiserweight bout.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “called a “professionally sanctioned 8-round cruiserweight bout””
- SupportedMost Valuable Promotions described the fight as a “professionally sanctioned 8-round cruiserweight bout.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Paul’s promotion company – Most Valuable Promotions – called a “professionally sanctioned 8-round cruiserweight bout””
- SupportedPaul is 29.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The 29-year-old Paul”
- SupportedPaul slipped out of the WBA cruiserweight rankings after Joshua knocked him out in the sixth round in Miami last December, and he then needed surgery.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Paul slipped out of the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight rankings after the sixth-round knockout by Joshua in Miami last December, after which the American needed surgery.”
- SupportedPaul has won 12 of his 14 professional bouts since beginning his pro boxing career in 2020.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Paul has fought primarily at the 200-pound (90.7kg) cruiserweight class in the majority of his bouts in a pro boxing career that began in 2020. He has won 12 of his 14 fights”
- SupportedOne of Paul’s wins was against 58-year-old Mike Tyson in 2024.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “one of his victories coming against 58-year-old Mike Tyson in 2024.”
- SupportedPaul has fought primarily at the 200-pound (90.7-kilogram) cruiserweight class.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Paul has fought primarily at the 200-pound (90.7kg) cruiserweight class in the majority of his bouts”
- SupportedDoumbe is a Cameroon-born Frenchman, a former kickboxing world champion and now an MMA fighter.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Doumbe, a Cameroon-born Frenchman, was a kickboxing world champion and is now an MMA fighter.”