Cedric Doumbe Claims He Only Needs One Punch to Knock Out Jake Paul on Christmas Eve

French MMA fighter Cedric Doumbe will face Jake Paul in a professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight bout on December 24 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

Doumbe targets one-punch knockout

Cedric Doumbe has publicly claimed he needs only a single strike to end the fight against Jake Paul. Speaking at a press conference in Paris, the former two-time Glory welterweight kickboxing champion emphasized his knockout pedigree, noting that he has achieved 45 knockouts across his 75-7-1 kickboxing career, according to Sky Sports.

Doumbe dismissed Paul’s technical proficiency, labeling the American’s boxing style as limited to a jab, right hook, and body jab.

“I just need one punch, I did it 45 times before. One punch. Only one punch.”

Doumbe told a press conference, as reported by Sky Sports. He further critiqued Paul’s physical condition, stating that Paul relies on aesthetics rather than combat effectiveness.

Paul responds to physical concerns

Jake Paul enters this matchup following a sixth-round stoppage defeat to Anthony Joshua in Miami last December. That loss resulted in a double broken jaw, which required surgical intervention.

Paul confirmed to Sky Sports that his jaw has since been reinforced with titanium, asserting that he is stronger than ever heading into the Christmas Eve contest. While Doumbe remains skeptical of Paul’s boxing abilities, Paul dismissed the relevance of his opponent’s kickboxing background.

“Kickboxing will not help him, people.”

Paul stated to Sky Sports. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is billing the event as an eight-round cruiserweight clash contested at 200 lbs with 10-ounce gloves, according to bigfightweekend.com.

Professional records and fight history

The transition to professional boxing remains a point of contrast between the two athletes. Doumbe holds a 1-0 professional boxing record, having defeated Mohamed Fodil on points in 2015, Sky Sports reported.

His mixed martial arts record stands at 6-1, with all six victories coming via knockout, according to bigfightweekend.com. Paul holds a 12-2 record, though his recent loss to Joshua resulted in him dropping out of the WBA cruiserweight rankings.

Preparation for the Dubai showdown

Doumbe said that his current training focus involves weight management, as he is cutting down from 100 kg to meet the cruiserweight limit. He characterized the upcoming fight as an opportunity to face an opponent he deems beatable, telling bigfightweekend.com that he has trained hard throughout his life and views this as a chance to secure a victory against someone he does not consider a traditional fighter.

The event’s global distribution and the remainder of the fight card at the Coca-Cola Arena are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

Future career implications

The outcome of the December 24 match will determine Paul’s standing in the sport. If he secures a win, it ensures he remains a prominent figure in boxing throughout 2027, according to bigfightweekend.com.

Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.