Jake Paul will return to the boxing ring on December 24 when he takes on former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbe at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
The eight-round cruiserweight contest, which will be fought at 200 pounds with 10-ounce gloves, was announced by Most Valuable Promotions on Monday. It will mark Paul’s first appearance since suffering a knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua in December 2025, a bout in which he fractured his jaw and subsequently underwent two surgeries.
“Cédric Douchebag was calling me out two years ago after knocking some dude out in 9 seconds,” Paul said in a statement. “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.”
“Just like Usyk feasted on Rico Verhoeven, I am going to eat you for dinner in Dubai on Christmas Eve and have a Coca-Cola at the arena to celebrate.”
Paul, who holds a professional boxing record of 12-2, had won six consecutive fights before his defeat to Joshua, including victories over Mike Tyson, Mike Perry and Nate Diaz. His upcoming opponent brings considerable experience from combat sports, having won two GLORY kickboxing titles and recorded 45 knockouts during his kickboxing career.
Doumbe subsequently transitioned to mixed martial arts, compiling a 6-1 record with all six victories coming by knockout. His most recent appearance came in May 2024, when he stopped Jaleel Willis in the opening round under the Bellator banner.
“Jake Paul calls himself the Problem Child, but he’s never faced a problem like me,” Doumbe said. “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.”
“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.”
