Jake Paul announces who he’ll fight in his boxing comeback
Jake Paul has finally revealed who he’ll be fighting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on December 24. The American is determined to get back to winning after nearly a year away from the ring. He’s set to face off against French mixed martial artist and former kickboxer Cédric Doumbé at the Coca-Cola Arena.
The fight will be at cruiserweight (200 lbs) over eight rounds, and they’ll use 10-ounce gloves.
Paul, 29, hasn’t fought since a tough sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025. He broke his jaw in two places and needed two surgeries. Doumbé, 34, is with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and has won six out of seven fights there. Originally from Cameroon but living in Paris, he has a kickboxing record of 75 wins, one draw, and seven losses. He’s also a former two-time GLORY welterweight world champion and won his only pro boxing fight back in April 2015.
Doumbé once signed with the UFC for a fight at UFC Fight Night 209 in 2022, but it didn’t happen after a brain scan showed blood—though he later said that was a mistake.
“I signed a contract with the UFC first,” he explained in 2023. “I was about to announce it, but an MRI showed blood in my brain because of a doctor’s error. I didn’t even double-check the results and the UFC told me I couldn’t fight because of it.”
Paul joked in a press release: “Cédric Douchebag was calling me out two years ago after knocking someone out in 9 seconds. Well Douchebag, now you get your chance. I’m rusty, my jaw’s still healing, and I don’t have your kickboxing titles. But guess what, this isn’t kickboxing, mon ami. This is BOXING. Just like Usyk beat Rico Verhoeven, I’m going to feast on you in Dubai on Christmas Eve—and celebrate with a Coca-Cola at the arena. You talk a lot, so let’s see what you say in person next week at the press conferences in Paris and Dubai.
“To the proud people of France, sorry in advance, but your guy’s about to get a lesson. And to everyone in Dubai and across MENA, we’re making this huge, just like Dubai always does. I’m baaaaaccccccccck.”
Doumbé fired back: “Jake Paul calls himself the Problem Child, but he’s never faced a problem like me. He has no idea what a Frenchman can do. On December 24 in Dubai, I’m going to ‘eat El Poulet’ for dinner. Jake loves to talk, and so do I, but after Joshua broke his jaw, I’m not sure how much more talking he can do. I’m going to finish what Joshua started. Dubai means a lot to me, and on Christmas Eve, I’ll be waving the French flag over his unconscious body. France, this one’s for you.”
Jake Paul has won 12 of his 14 pro fights, beating big names like Mike Tyson, Mike Perry, Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, and Ben Askren. His two losses came against Joshua and Tommy Fury.