YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is set to return to the boxing ring for a professionally sanctioned 8-round cruiserweight bout against mixed martial arts star Cedric Doumbe. The fight is scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 24.

This marks Paul's first professional boxing match in a year, following a significant loss in December 2025 where he suffered a broken jaw in two places during a fight against former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The injury required surgery and led to Paul slipping out of the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight rankings.

Paul, 29, has largely competed in the cruiserweight division, which typically caps at 200 pounds (90.7 kg), since beginning his professional boxing career in 2020. He has a record of 12 wins out of 14 fights. His notable victories include a 2024 bout against the much older Mike Tyson.

Cedric Doumbe, a Cameroon-born French fighter, brings a background as a former kickboxing world champion before transitioning to mixed martial arts. The pairing of Paul, a prominent figure in online entertainment with a boxing career, and Doumbe, a decorated combat sports athlete, is expected to draw significant attention.

Most Valuable Promotions, Paul's promotion company, announced the fight, describing it as a professionally sanctioned event. Details regarding ticket sales and further press conferences have been indicated, with a kickoff press conference announced for November 10 in Paris.

The bout against Doumbe represents a strategic move for Paul, aiming to rebuild his boxing career after the setback against Joshua. His previous fights have often featured opponents from outside traditional boxing backgrounds, a trend that continues with this matchup against an MMA fighter.

Paul's career has seen him achieve considerable success in the cruiserweight class. His win over Mike Tyson, though facing an opponent significantly past his prime, was a major event. The upcoming fight against Doumbe in Dubai positions him for a high-profile return during the holiday season.

Fans and observers will be watching to see how Paul performs following his injury and how he fares against a formidable opponent like Doumbe, who possesses a diverse combat sports skillset. The outcome could significantly impact both fighters' trajectories in their respective combat sports careers.