Jake Paul has officially revealed his next opponent, and the announcement is already generating plenty of attention throughout the combat sports world. The YouTuber turned boxer will face former kickboxing champion Cédric Doumbé on December 24 in Dubai, marking Paul’s return to the boxing ring after a lengthy absence.
The matchup will headline a Christmas Eve boxing event at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai. The fight is scheduled for eight rounds in the cruiserweight division at 200 pounds, giving Paul an opportunity to restart his career against an opponent with an extensive combat sports background.
Paul Faces a Dangerous Opponent
Doumbé is not a traditional boxing opponent, but he brings an impressive resume into the matchup. The French fighter became a two time GLORY kickboxing world champion before transitioning to mixed martial arts, where he established a reputation for his devastating knockout power.
Doumbé has recorded six victories in MMA, all by knockout, and owns 45 knockouts from his kickboxing career. However, he has limited professional boxing experience, having competed in just one boxing match before this upcoming showdown.
Paul has built his boxing career by facing recognizable names from boxing and mixed martial arts. However, this fight represents another opportunity for him to prove himself following the biggest setback of his professional career.
A Comeback After a Brutal Defeat
Paul has not fought since December 2025, when former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua knocked him out in the sixth round. Paul suffered a broken jaw during the fight and required surgery before beginning his recovery.
Now, Paul is preparing to return against a fighter who has made a name for himself with explosive striking.
The matchup also gives Doumbé a chance to gain worldwide recognition by defeating one of boxing’s most talked-about personalities.
With both fighters exchanging bold words ahead of the showdown, Paul’s Christmas Eve return could become one of the most talked about combat sports events of the year.
