Jake Paul to fight Cédric Doumbé in Dubai
Jake Paul will return to the ring on Dec. 24 in Dubai to face French combat sports veteran Cédric Doumbé in a cruiserweight bout, exactly one year after suffering a December 2025 loss and a broken jaw against Anthony Joshua, sports.yahoo.com reported.
The Return Against Doumbé
The matchup brings a distinct shift in scale for Paul, who takes on Doumbé at a 200-pound limit. Doumbé traditionally fights as a welterweight at 170 pounds, setting up a size discrepancy for the former kickboxing champion who claimed at least 83 professional fights. Doumbé established his reputation through a series of high-profile fights in the PFL between 2023 and 2024, despite a notable loss to Baissangour Chamsoudinov. The December 24 event in Dubai marks Doumbé’s return following a two-and-a-half-year absence from mixed martial arts competition.
Paul Faces Opponents in Escalating Combat Sports Matchups
The bout follows a six-year trajectory of increasingly ambitious combat sports matchups that culminated in a severe injury. Paul began his boxing ventures by facing former NBA player Nate Robinson in 2020, followed by bouts against MMA figures Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. Escalating the level of competition, Paul subsequently faced former UFC champion Anderson Silva and suffered his first career loss to Tommy Fury. After returning through victories over Nate Diaz, professional boxers Andre August and Ryan Bourland, bare-knuckle fighter Mike Perry, and a high-profile Netflix bout against 57-year-old Mike Tyson, Paul defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. before a planned bout against Gervonta Davis fell through and he pivoted toward heavyweight Anthony Joshua. That December 2025 encounter ended in the sixth round when Joshua landed a decisive right hand that shattered Paul’s jaw.
Disclaimer: The Insights Provided in This Article Are for Informational and Entertainment Purposes Only
Overcoming a wired-shut jaw and the physical toll of a heavyweight knockout presents a stark test for the internet personality turned promoter. While Paul owns the PFL, his decision to book a boxing match against an undersized kickboxer rather than an MMA cage fight signals a tactical retreat from the heavyweight division. Whether this bout initiates a sustained return to combat sports or serves as a showcase for a prominent promotional asset remains open as the December 24 date approaches.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.
🚨 BREAKING: Jake Paul vs Cédric Doumbé is official, per @MostVpromotions 🗓️ December 24th 🌍 Dubai, UAE ⚖️ Cruiserweight 🥊 8 rounds – Doumbé fights at 170lbs in MMA – Doumbé has not competed in boxing in over 10 years, where he has a 1-0 record – He has also not fought in… pic.twitter.com/A6rNs6dZwy
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Confirmed: Jake Paul will take on former two-time world kickboxing champion and MMA fighter Cédric Doumbé on Christmas Eve in Dubai. I have no issues with this fight or the rest of Jake Paul’s boxing career now that he has stopped with the nonsense of becoming a world champion… pic.twitter.com/Dqf7VWgZSg
🇺🇸🇵🇷 JAKE PAUL vs. 🇫🇷 CÉDRIC DOUMBÉ: Jake Paul returns to the ring against French combat sports superstar, two-time GLORY kickboxing world champion, and PFL knockout artist Cédric Doumbé! 🥊🔥 With 45 kickboxing KOs, a 6-1 MMA record with all six wins by knockout, and a viral… pic.twitter.com/iwnSiDxsSG