Jake Paul Returns to the Ring in Dubai

Jake Paul will return to professional boxing on December 24 in Dubai. He faces Cedric Doumbe, a former kickboxing world champion, in a match designed to cap the year for the 29-year-old YouTuber.

This bout marks Paul's first fight since December 2025. He suffered a sixth-round stoppage loss to Anthony Joshua in Miami that night. The defeat resulted in a jaw fracture in two places, requiring multiple surgeries before Paul announced his comeback in October.

Paul addressed the matchup directly in a statement. He noted that Doumbe had taunted him for two years following a nine-second knockout of another opponent. "Well, now you get your chance," Paul said. He argued that while Doumbe holds kickboxing titles, the sport rules differ. "This is boxing," Paul stated.

Paul currently holds a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses. His two defeats came against Tommy Fury and Joshua. Doumbe, who was born in Cameroon and holds French citizenship, owns a 75-7-1 record in kickboxing with 45 knockouts.

Since transitioning to mixed martial arts, Doumbe has won six of his last seven fights. His most notable victory was a nine-second stoppage of Jordan Zebo in September 2023, the specific event Paul cited in his comments.

The two fighters are scheduled to appear at media events in Paris on November 10. They will hold a second promotional event in Dubai on November 12.