Jake Paul is set to make his return to the boxing ring on December 24, 2026, against former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbe in a highly anticipated Christmas Eve showdown in Dubai. The announcement was made by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) on Monday, November 2.
The fight will take place at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and represents Paul’s first appearance in the ring since suffering a broken jaw in his heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua in December 2025.
For Doumbe, the contest offers an opportunity to make a major statement on the international boxing stage against one of the sport’s most talked-about personalities.
Who Is Cedric Doumbe?
Cedric Doumbe is a 34-year-old combat sports athlete born in Cameroon and raised in France. He is widely recognised for his achievements in professional kickboxing, where he established himself as a world champion.
Doumbe has an impressive professional kickboxing record of 75 wins, seven losses and one draw, including 45 victories by knockout. His striking ability and knockout power have helped him build a strong reputation in combat sports.
He has also competed in mixed martial arts, recording six victories and one defeat, with all six wins coming by knockout.
Although Doumbe has considerable experience in kickboxing and MMA, he has limited professional boxing experience. His only previous professional boxing appearance came in 2015, when he defeated Mohamed Fodil.
The upcoming fight against Jake Paul will therefore represent a significant opportunity for the French fighter to demonstrate his skills under traditional boxing rules.
Jake Paul vs Cedric Doumbe: Fight Date, Venue and Details
The Jake Paul vs Cedric Doumbe boxing match is scheduled for Christmas Eve, December 24, 2026, in Dubai.
Most Valuable Promotions confirmed the contest, with Coca-Cola Arena selected as the venue.
Here are the confirmed details:
| Fight Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fight | Jake Paul vs Cedric Doumbe |
| Date | December 24, 2026 |
| Venue | Coca-Cola Arena |
| Location | Dubai, UAE |
| Promoter | Most Valuable Promotions |
| Weight limit | 200 pounds |
| Event | Christmas Eve boxing match |
The contest will take place at a 200-pound weight limit. This is particularly interesting because Doumbe has predominantly competed around the 170-pound division.
Press conferences are also scheduled ahead of fight night. The first will take place in Paris on November 10, followed by another event in Dubai on November 12.
These appearances will give both fighters an opportunity to address the matchup and build anticipation before entering the ring.
Why Is Jake Paul Fighting Cedric Doumbe?
Jake Paul’s decision to face Cedric Doumbe follows his announcement that he wanted to return to boxing on Christmas Eve.
Paul has been away from competition since his December 19, 2025, defeat against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Miami.
That fight ended in a stoppage loss for Paul, who suffered a broken jaw during the contest. His recovery reportedly involved multiple surgeries, making his planned return particularly significant.
Doumbe is not an unfamiliar name to Paul. The French fighter had previously called him out after scoring a spectacular nine-second knockout in a combat sports contest.
Paul referenced that moment while discussing the announcement.
He acknowledged Doumbe’s kickboxing achievements but made it clear that the upcoming contest would be a boxing match rather than a kickboxing competition.
Paul also joked about his damaged jaw and lack of kickboxing world titles, while confidently predicting that he would defeat Doumbe in Dubai.
What Did Jake Paul Say About Cedric Doumbe?
Paul delivered a confident message following the announcement of the fight.
The American boxer welcomed Doumbe’s challenge but questioned whether the former kickboxing champion could translate his striking success into professional boxing.
Paul also referenced his previous defeat against Anthony Joshua, acknowledging that he was returning after a difficult injury.
Despite his recovery concerns, the 29-year-old expressed confidence about fighting on December 24.
He also addressed French fans directly, saying that Doumbe would have to face him in the boxing ring rather than rely on his kickboxing credentials.
Cedric Doumbe Responds to Jake Paul
Doumbe was equally confident when responding to the announcement.
The French fighter dismissed Paul’s reputation as the Problem Child and suggested that the American had never faced an opponent with his particular fighting abilities.
Doumbe also referenced Paul’s broken jaw from the Anthony Joshua fight, suggesting that he wanted to finish what Joshua started.
He promised to represent France proudly in Dubai and predicted that Paul would be knocked out on Christmas Eve.
The back-and-forth between the fighters has already created an interesting storyline ahead of their scheduled press conferences.
Jake Paul Boxing Record and Career
Jake Paul enters the matchup with a professional boxing record of 12 wins and two losses.
The 29-year-old initially won his first six professional contests before suffering his first defeat against Tommy Fury in 2023. Fury secured a split-decision victory in that matchup.
Paul subsequently bounced back with six consecutive wins before facing Anthony Joshua in December 2025.
His defeat against Joshua marked a major setback and left questions about his recovery and future in boxing.
The Cedric Doumbe fight will be an important opportunity for Paul to rebuild momentum and demonstrate that he can successfully return following his jaw injury.
Why the Cedric Doumbe Fight Is Interesting
There are several reasons why this matchup has attracted attention.
1. Doumbe’s knockout power: With 45 professional kickboxing knockouts and six MMA victories by knockout, Doumbe brings considerable striking experience.
2. Paul’s boxing experience: Paul has competed in several high-profile professional boxing matches and has a considerably longer record in the sport than Doumbe.
3. The weight difference: Doumbe has traditionally competed around 170 pounds, while the upcoming contest has a 200-pound weight limit.
4. Paul’s injury comeback: His return comes after a broken jaw and multiple surgeries following the Anthony Joshua fight.
5. International attention: Staging the fight in Dubai on Christmas Eve gives the event an international setting, with both French and American fans expected to follow the matchup.
When Is Jake Paul vs Cedric Doumbe?
Jake Paul vs Cedric Doumbe is scheduled for Thursday, December 24, 2026, at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
The fighters will also participate in promotional press conferences in Paris on November 10 and Dubai on November 12.
Further details about the broadcast, streaming options and exact fight-night schedule have not been confirmed in the supplied announcement.
Final Thoughts
Jake Paul vs Cedric Doumbe is shaping up to be an intriguing boxing matchup heading into Christmas Eve 2026.
Paul will be looking to return to winning ways after his painful defeat against Anthony Joshua, while Doumbe will attempt to turn his impressive kickboxing and MMA background into success inside the boxing ring.
Although Doumbe has an outstanding record in kickboxing, professional boxing presents a different challenge. Paul’s experience in the boxing format could prove important.
With both fighters already exchanging confident statements, their December 24 showdown in Dubai has plenty of potential to become one of the most talked-about combat sports events of the holiday season.
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