Jake Paul Sets Christmas Eve Return Against Kickboxing Star Cedric Doumbe in Dubai

Jake Paul is returning to the ring on Christmas Eve in Dubai to face French kickboxer Cedric Doumbe. The bout is scheduled for the Coca-Cola Arena and marks Paul’s first fight in 11 months. His previous contest ended in a sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua, an injury that left Paul with a double broken jaw.

Paul, who began his career as a content creator before turning to boxing full-time, enters the fight with a professional record of 12 wins and two losses. Seven of his victories came by knockout. His past opponents include Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz, and Mike Perry. The 2026 matchup will be his 15th professional bout.

Doumbe brings a different background to the card. Nicknamed "the best," he is a seven-time welterweight world champion in the Glory kickboxing organization. He holds a record of 75 kickboxing wins. His victories include elite opponents such as Murthel Groenhart, Harut Grigorian, and Nieky Holzken.

The French fighter gained mainstream attention after transitioning to mixed martial arts. In his debut fight for the PFL, he defeated Jordan Zebo in nine seconds. That performance drew attention from spectators including soccer star Kylian Mbappe. Doumbe has only one professional boxing experience, a decision win over Mohamed Fodil in 2015.

The upcoming match will be professionally sanctioned. It will count as Doumbe’s second professional boxing fight. Paul’s recent absence from the ring was necessary to recover from the jaw fractures sustained in the Joshua bout. The two competitors represent different martial arts disciplines but will meet under boxing rules.

Paul’s rise has divided opinion since his 2018 debut against Deji Olatunji. Despite criticism, his wins against established martial arts figures have kept him in public conversation. Doumbe’s viral knockout in the PFL added to his profile before the two announced this Christmas Eve date in the Middle East.