Celebrity boxer and social media goofball Jake Paul is making his return to combat sports when he boxes former kickboxing champion Cédric Doumbé in an eight-round, cruiserweight (200 lbs.) showdown on Thurs., Dec. 24, 2026 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Paul typically fights north of 200 pounds while Doumbé was competing at 170 pounds in Bellator and PFL. Not surprisingly, fans on social media were critical of the booking, which is reminiscent of this summer 2024 showdown
that gave Paul a considerable size and reach advantage.
Former UFC middleweight Darren Till, no stranger to the cruiserweight class, was unimpressed by Paul’s recent announcement, which ended months of rumor and speculation that “El Gallo de Dorado” would be facing “The Gorilla” atop the upcoming Christmas Eve card in Dubai.
I can’t say that anyone willing to box Anthony Joshua after watching “AJ” murder Francis Ngannou is “terrified,” but I would also agree that Doumbé — who hasn’t competed in over two years — was a strategic choice for Paul and his “janky” jaw after nearly retiring from the damage absorbed his last time out.
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