Jake Paul to face Cedric Doumbe in Christmas Eve boxing comeback, year after suffering broken jaw

The influencer-turned-boxer will face French combat sports star Cedric Doumbe in his previously announced Christmas Eve comeback fight in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Paul's company, Most Valuable Promotions, announced the news Monday morning. The eight-round cruiserweight bout will take place on Dec. 24 at Coca-Cola Arena.

A broadcast partner for the event has yet to be announced.

Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since his sixth-round knockout loss to former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua this past December in Miami. Joshua knocked Paul down four times en route to gruesomely breaking his jaw, handing the 29-year-old his second professional defeat and his first loss by knockout.

Paul's injuries required multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery to address, and even raised questions about his boxing future. Paul admitted on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show" in May that he wasn't sure whether he'd ever be able to fight again .

Nearly a year later, though, he's ready to return against Doumbé, who himself returns to boxing after an 11-year hiatus. Doumbé most recently competed in MMA, fighting for PFL and Bellator before stepping away for personal and family matters, Helwani reported. Doumbé greatest success came as a professional kickboxer, where he compiled a record of 75-7-1 and rose to be a two-time GLORY welterweight champion.

Known for his striking prowess and knockout power, Doumbe enters the matchup with extensive combat sports experience, however he's competed only once as a pro boxer, winning a four-round decision over Mohamed Fodil in an April 2015 bout in France.

Doumbé said in a release Monday announcing his participation:

"Jake Paul calls himself the Problem Child, but he's never faced a problem like me. He has no idea what a Frenchman is capable of, and on Thursday, December 24 in Dubai, I'm going to eat 'El Poulet' for dinner. Jake loves to talk, and so do I, but after what Joshua did to his jaw, I'm not sure how much talking he has left. I'm going to finish the job Joshua started. Dubai is a special city to me, and on Christmas Eve, I'll be waving le Tricolore over his unconscious body. France, this one's for you."

Paul's return date was announced on Oct. 29, days before Doumbé was revealed as his next opponent.

Paul said in a press release announcing the fight:

"I've spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I'd face. Nothing that's happened has changed my belief in myself or what I'm working toward. I'm hungrier than ever, and on Thursday, December 24, I'm returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey."

Paul's boxing career began in 2020, with the influencer-turned-fighter winning his first six bouts before losing to Tommy Fury in 2023. Paul went on another six-fight win streak — including a victory over Mike Tyson — before the loss to Joshua, who was the biggest test in his career to that point.

"Jake Paul has spent his career challenging what people think is possible," MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in the release. "Twelve months ago he suffered a double broken jaw against a two-time heavyweight world champion and since then many have doubted his desire or need to return to boxing. Well he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport."

The planned Christmas Eve event will come just two weeks after Joshua's next fight, a highly anticipated bout against Tyson Fury on Dec. 11.