Jake Paul to fight Cédric Doumbé in Dubai on December 24

Most Valuable Promotions announced that Jake Paul will face Cédric Doumbé in a professionally sanctioned cruiserweight bout on December 24 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The eight-round contest is scheduled for a 200-pound limit, with both fighters using 10-ounce gloves. The announcement marks Paul’s return to professional boxing after he was stopped by Anthony Joshua in December 2025 and suffered a broken jaw. Paul said he was rusty and that his jaw remained “janky,” while emphasizing that the contest would be boxing rather than kickboxing. Doumbé, a former kickboxing world champion who now competes in mixed martial arts, said he intended to finish what Joshua started. Both fighters’ remarks came with the announcement; the bout has not yet taken place. Doumbé has one professional boxing bout on his record, a 2015 victory, while most of his combat-sports experience comes from kickboxing and MMA. He is a two-time GLORY welterweight champion and has competed in MMA for the Professional Fighters League. Paul has fought 14 times as a professional boxer, according to the event announcement coverage. The matchup puts a boxer with more professional experience in the sport against an...