Jake Paul to Face Former Kickboxing Champion Cédric Doumbé in December Return Fight

December 24th Another Jake Paul Fight

Jake Paul is set to return to the boxing ring on Dec. 24, facing former kickboxing world champion Cédric Doumbé in an eight round cruiserweight matchup in Dubai, Most Valuable Promotions announced Monday. The fight will mark Paul’s first appearance in the ring since suffering a broken jaw in a heavyweight loss to Anthony Joshua in December, as the YouTube star turned boxer looks to resume his career following multiple surgeries. Paul and Doumbé are scheduled to appear at public news conferences Nov. 10 in Paris and Nov. 12 in Dubai to promote the matchup.

Paul Returns Following Broken Jaw and Surgery

Paul’s boxing future became uncertain in 2026 after he underwent jaw surgery in December and again in February. However, the 29-year-old has recently made it clear that he intends to continue competing and eventually challenge for a professional boxing world championship. Paul enters the matchup with a 12-2 professional record, including seven knockouts. He has built his boxing career around high-profile crossover events, facing a variety of opponents from boxing, mixed martial arts and other combat sports.

His résumé includes victories over UFC legends Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz and Tyron Woodley, along with a November 2024 win over heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson. In 2025, Paul also defeated former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. Despite the setback against Joshua, Paul has continued to express ambitions of taking on some of the biggest names in combat sports. His previously stated wish list of potential opponents includes boxing stars Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia, as well as MMA standouts Conor McGregor, Francis Ngannou and Darren Till.

Doumbé Brings Kickboxing Credentials to the Ring

Doumbé, 34, is one of the most recognizable fighters in French combat sports history. A former two time Glory kickboxing world champion, he compiled a professional kickboxing record of 75-7-1, with 45 career knockouts. He also has experience in mixed martial arts, holding a 6-1 professional MMA record. Doumbé gained international attention in September 2023 when he knocked out Jordan Zébo in just nine seconds under the Professional Fighters League banner, a performance Paul has referenced.

Doumbé has limited professional boxing experience, with his only recorded professional boxing appearance resulting in a victory in April 2015. His transition from kickboxing and MMA to a scheduled eight round boxing contest against Paul will present a different challenge, as he prepares to face an opponent with considerably more experience in professional boxing.

A High Profile Crossover Matchup in Dubai

The December 24th fight continues Paul’s strategy of building major events around crossover matchups involving recognizable names from different combat sports. His bouts have drawn significant attention by bringing together social media personalities, established boxers and former MMA champions.

For Doumbé, the matchup offers an opportunity to expand his profile beyond kickboxing and MMA while stepping into the boxing spotlight against one of the sport’s most talked-about personalities. For Paul, the fight represents an important return following a serious injury and another step toward his stated goal of eventually competing for a world championship. The matchup in Dubai will test how effectively he can resume his career after an extended recovery period while adding another international name to his growing list of opponents.