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Jake Paul Set to Return to Boxing Ring on Christmas Eve in Dubai
· Confirmed
In Short: Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, will headline a Christmas Eve event in Dubai, marking his return to the ring after a year.
Jake Paul, the American YouTuber-turned-boxer, is set to return to the ring on Christmas Eve in Dubai, according to a statement from his promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).
Paul's last fight ended in a sixth-round knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Miami on December 19, 2025, when his jaw was fractured in two places, requiring multiple surgeries.
Paul, who has a 12-2 professional record, said in a statement, 'I have spent years proving people wrong, taking risks and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I would face.'
The 29-year-old influencer expressed his determination to return to boxing, despite doubts about his career after his loss to Joshua. '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,' he added.
MVP is finalizing an opponent for Paul's return, with former UFC fighter Darren Till among the names being considered. Till, who last fought in the UFC in 2022 and made his boxing debut in 2025, is reportedly in talks with Paul's team.
Paul's manager, Nakisa Bidarian, said, 'We've got plenty of names on the list; let's see who signs the contract.'
The event in Dubai is part of a cooperation agreement between the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and MVP, highlighting the city's reputation as a host destination for world-class sporting events.
Paul's return to the ring is expected to draw significant attention, as he has previously faced high-profile opponents like Mike Tyson and Tommy Fury, and has expressed interest in facing other boxing and MMA stars such as Canelo Alvarez, Deontay Wilder, Conor McGregor, and Sean Strickland.
The announcement marks another landmark moment in Paul’s professional boxing career and MVP’s continued international expansion, with Paul set to make his professional debut in Dubai.
Paul's upcoming fight is scheduled for December 24, 2026, and tickets are available for purchase on Ticketmaster.
What's confirmed
- American Jake Paul to headline Christmas Eve boxing event in Dubai, with his opponent yet to be announced.
- The bout will be Paul’s first since his sixth-round knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Joshua in Miami on December 19 last year, when his jaw was fractured in two places, injuries that required multiple surgeries in December and February.
- Paul has a 12-2 professional record, with his only defeats coming against Britain’s Tommy Fury and Joshua.
- “I have spent years proving people wrong, taking risks and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I would face,” Paul said in a statement.
- "We're finalising an opponent worthy of Jake's return and look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks." Till, 33, last fought in the UFC in 2022 and made his boxing debut in 2025 - beating Luke Rockhold in his sole professional bout.
- "Jake Paul has spent his career challenging what people think is possible," Bidarian said.
- "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 Christmas Eve showdown will mark Paul’s first professional fight in Dubai, as one of combat sports’ biggest global stars prepares to begin the next chapter of his boxing career.
- "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," he added, as reported by ESPN.
- Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Nakisa Bidarian, announced the event and is finalizing an opponent for Paul's return.
- “We’ve got plenty of names on the list; let’s see who signs the contract,” he added.
- The 29-year-old influencer-turned-fighter announced his comeback today, though his opponent has yet to be determined.
What's still developing
- In July 2025, Paul earned a place in the WBA's cruiserweight rankings after beating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, but he lost that ranking in January after defeat by Joshua.
- Paul was knocked down twice against the British two-time heavyweight world champion before being stopped in the sixth round in Miami.
- Competing in a jiu-jitsu match for the UFC in 2023 and then he made a successful foray into boxing against fellow MMA great Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in August.
- An opponent for his next fight has not been announced, though Paul indicated that it is in the works.
- However, no official announcement has been made, and it remains to be seen who will sign up to face Paul.
- The greatest triumph in his career came in 2024 when Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) beat the legendary Mike Tyson in a professional match that smashed records on Netflix, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever, with 108 million live viewers.
- American Paul had two titanium plates fitted and some teeth removed after Joshua broke his jaw during their heavyweight bout in December 2025.
- Former professional boxer Mike Tyson discusses learning what the word confidence meant, staying in shape in prison and caring for his pet tiger on ‘Jesse Watters Primetime.’ Jake Paul is getting back in the ring.
- The promotion is hoping to announce the 29-year-old’s return opponent in the coming weeks, with Till seemingly being the frontrunner to welcome him back to the ring.
- Joshua broke Paul’s jaw in the sixth round after landing a thunderous right hand, handing the internet sensation turned-boxer his second professional loss.
- And this Thursday morning, MVP sent out a press release confirming that ‘The Problem Child’s’ return to the ring is now officially set, with it set to take place on December 24, in Dubai, which will be his first fight in the region.