Jake Paul’s Next Opponent Reveals Much About His Fight with Anthony Joshua
Choosing Cédric Doumbé, a kickboxer, as his next adversary feels like an odd turn for Jake Paul. Yet, if this seems familiar, there might be a pattern here.
Paul’s journey in combat sports has been marked by escalating challenges, starting from internet dares to becoming a recognized boxer. His rise was fueled by bold matchups, shifting from playful encounters to serious fights, culminating last December with a heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua.
That fight ended dramatically when Joshua broke Paul’s jaw, seemingly ending Paul’s reckless climb. Facing Doumbé now feels like a return to something more grounded after years of wild stunts.
Tracing Paul’s Career Moves
Back in 2020, Paul took on ex-NBA player Nate Robinson just for fun. He then challenged former MMA fighters like Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, capitalizing on their vulnerabilities. After defeating Woodley twice, he faced legendary Anderson Silva, showcasing a different kind of violence.
Fans wanted Paul to prove himself against a genuine boxer, so he fought Tommy Fury, Tyson Fury’s brother. That bout ended with Paul’s first loss, pushing him back to facing MMA fighters such as Nate Diaz, followed by lesser-known opponents Andre August and Ryan Bourland to rebuild his record.
Later came Mike Perry, who shifted from MMA to bare-knuckle boxing, making for an entertaining fight. Paul’s subsequent clash with 57-year-old Mike Tyson wasn’t exciting but drew massive streaming numbers—65 million concurrent viewers. Then he defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., son of a boxing legend, via unanimous decision.
The Heavyweight Challenge and Its Fallout
Paul stirred the pot by announcing a fight against Gervonta "Tank" Davis, a quick, smaller opponent known for circling his foes. Legal troubles delayed that matchup, and Paul eventually agreed to face Anthony Joshua, a bigger, experienced heavyweight still under 50 years old.
That fight proved too much for Paul. Though he lasted six rounds, he was knocked out by a powerful right hand. Many saw it as the end of Paul’s audacious boxing phase—the moment when his five-year streak of capturing attention finally met its match.
Returning Against Doumbé: A Strategic Move?
Now, a year after that brutal loss, Paul returns to face Doumbé. Unlike potential opponents such as Sean Strickland, Francis Ngannou, or Darren Till, Doumbé is a French kickboxing champion with over 80 pro fights, a key figure in Paris’s combat scene, and a former PFL star despite a recent two-and-a-half-year MMA absence.
The fight will take place at cruiserweight (200 pounds) in Dubai on December 24. Traditionally a welterweight (170 pounds), Doumbé will be significantly smaller, echoing earlier matches where Paul held clear physical advantages.
This setup suggests Paul prefers to tilt the odds in his favor again. Yet, returning after a broken jaw is no small feat. The recovery—jaw wired shut and relying on straws to eat—brings real challenges beyond the spotlight.
What’s Next for Jake Paul?
His comeback could have taken many routes: stepping into an MMA cage or continuing to push the limits of boxing matchmaking. Owning the PFL, an MMA promotion, made an MMA return plausible, but choosing Doumbé hints at a shift from escalation to subtle strategy.
Paul might be aiming to elevate Doumbé's profile ahead of a deeper dive into MMA with his MVP promotion, sharing the spotlight rather than taking it all. Or maybe he simply wants to start fresh by beating a solid opponent and re-establishing himself in boxing.
Whatever unfolds, this next chapter marks a turning point. For some, it may signal renewed interest in Paul’s career; for others, it could mean the final fade-out of his boxing journey.
