Jake Paul’s hyped Christmas comeback rival has been confirmed.
Only a day after firing social media shots at megastar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – and declaring “we will dance my friend, we will dance” – Paul has been confirmed for a showdown against France’s Cedric Doumbe.
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The event will take place in Dubai’s Coca Cola Arena on December 24.
In Australia, the fight will air live early on Christmas Day.
Despite fears that Paul’s career was over after Anthony Joshua broke his jaw a year ago, the American crossover star is now back training and pitching himself up for a host of big fights – including Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, Deontay Wilder and Conor McGregor in MMA.
But first, and in what will be his anticipated return from injury, ‘The Problem Child’ will throw down against a dangerous Mixed Martial Artist who also doubles as a two-time Glory kickboxing world champion.
When it comes to boxing, Doumbe has only competed professionally once — beating countryman Mohamed Fodil way back in 2015 – but is still one of Europe’s most recognised fight stars.
Since switching to MMA, the former kickboxer has recorded six knockout wins in seven fights, and most famously won his 2023 PFL debut in only nine seconds
Yet despite his strong combat resume, Paul has wasted no time in taking the big stick to his new rival.
“Cédric Douchebag was calling me out two years ago after knocking some dude out in 9 seconds,” Paul said.
“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.
“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.”
Given Paul has previously been linked to an Alvarez fight, the fighter took to social media immediately after the Mexican world champion defended gold against Christian Mbilli last weekend.
Alvarez reclaimed WBC super middleweight gold via unanimous decision, and in what was also his first fight since that 2025 against Terence Crawford.
Taking to ‘X’ after the fight, Paul wrote: “Out of the ring for 13 months but still the same old Canelo. Respect. Did take a lot of punches though. We will dance my friend, we will dance”.
When it comes to his own return meanwhile, Paul will face Doumbe in an eight-round cruiserweight bout.
“That is a f***ing dog! That is a rat!” | 09:33
“Jake Paul calls himself the Problem Child, but he’s never faced a problem like me,” Doumbe said after the fight was announced.
“He has no idea what a Frenchman is capable of, and 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.”
MVP chief executive Nakisa Bidarian added: “Jake Paul returns to the ring after a year of uncertainty about his jaw and boxing career.
“[And] in typical El Gallo fashion, he’s charging all the way back in and facing a multi-time world kickboxing champion.
“Cédric Doumbé has been calling to fight Jake Paul for several years and the timing of this matchup makes perfect sense.
“Both men understand how to command an audience, and both have built careers by delivering when the spotlight is brightest.”