Jake Paul confirms opponent in boxing return
Jake Paul has finally announced who he will fight in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on December 24, as the American vows to return to winning ways after almost a year out of the ring.
Paul is set to take on French mixed martial artist and former kickboxer Cédric Doumbé at the Coca-Cola Arena.
The fight will take place at cruiserweight (200lbs) over eight rounds, with 10-oz gloves permitted.
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The 29-year-old American has not fought since suffering a brutal sixth-round knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua in December 2025. Paul sustained a double break in his jaw, which required two surgeries.
Thirty-four-year-old Doumbé is signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he has won six of his seven fights.
The Cameroon-born fighter, who is based in Paris, also boasts a record of 75 wins, one draw and seven losses from 83 kickboxing contests. He is a former two-time GLORY welterweight world champion and won his sole professional boxing bout against Mohamed Fodil in April 2015.
Doumbé previously signed for the UFC ahead of a proposed fight with Darian Weeks at UFC Fight Night 209 in 2022. However, the fight never materialised after an MRI scan found blood in his brain.
He later revealed that this was an error.
“I signed a contract with the UFC at first,” he said in 2023. “I was about to announce my [signing] with the UFC and I made an MRI and there was mistake. Doctor made a mistake in that test and he figured that I have a blot in my brain. And I used to do it so many times...so I just sent the paper and I didn't even check it. And they just respond to us that I can't fight because the MRI is bad."
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In a press release, Paul said: “Cédric Douchebag was calling me out two years ago after knocking some dude out in 9 seconds. Well Douchebag, now you get your chance. I’m rusty, my jaw is janky and I don’t have kickboxing world titles like you do. But guess what, this isn’t kickboxing mon ami.
“This is BOXING. Just like Usyk feasted on Rico Verhoeven, I am going to eat you for dinner in Dubai on Christmas Eve and have a Coca-Cola at the arena to celebrate. You like to talk a lot, so let’s see what you have to say in person at the press conferences next week in Paris and Dubai.
“To the proud people of France, excuse-moi for what I am about to do, but your son has been naughty and he’s going to get punished. To all the fans in Dubai and all of MENA…we are doing this and we are doing it big, like Dubai always does. I’m baaaaaccccccccck.”
Doumbé said: “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 has won 12 of his 14 professional fights, beating fight sport icons such as Mike Tyson, Mike Perry, Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren.
His two defeats came at the hands of Joshua and Tommy Fury.
Luke Davies