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Jake Paul Returns to Boxing After Jaw Injury, Faces Kickboxer Cédric Doumbé on Christmas Eve

After suffering a broken jaw at the hands of Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul is stepping back into the ring. His next opponent is Cédric Doumbé, a French kickboxer, with the bout scheduled for cruiserweight (200 pounds) in Dubai on Christmas Eve.

From Internet Sensation to Serious Contender

Paul’s journey in combat sports has been marked by a steady climb in difficulty and notoriety. Starting with exhibition matches against athletes like Nate Robinson in 2020, Paul quickly escalated his opponents' level. He faced former MMA fighters such as Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, beating Woodley twice. Then came the challenge of fighting Anderson Silva, a UFC legend known for his precision and timing.

The public’s real demand was for Paul to face an actual boxer, which led to a clash with Tommy Fury. That fight ended with Paul’s first loss and pushed him back toward boxing popular MMA fighters, including Nate Diaz and some lesser-known competitors. Later, he took on Mike Perry, a former MMA fighter turned bare-knuckle boxer, in what was a lively match.

High-Profile Fights and A Crushing Defeat

One of Paul’s most-watched bouts was against Mike Tyson, attracting 65 million concurrent streams despite not being entertaining. He then defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., son of a boxing legend, by unanimous decision. The announcement of a fight against Gervonta Davis stirred excitement but eventually fell through amid legal troubles for Davis.

Choosing to face heavyweight Anthony Joshua was a bold move. Joshua was larger, more experienced, and younger. The fight ended brutally with Paul’s jaw broken by a devastating right hand, marking a sharp turning point in his career.

Who Is Cédric Doumbé?

Doumbé is a former kickboxing champion from France, known for his success in the PFL between 2023 and 2024. Though he lost one fight to Baissangour Chamsoudinov, Doumbé remains a significant figure in the Paris combat scene with over 83 professional fights. However, he has not competed in MMA for two and a half years.

Coming back to fight Doumbé puts Paul in a familiar spot: facing a smaller, less traditional boxer, which might tilt the odds in his favor. Doumbé usually competes at welterweight (170 pounds), so this will be a notable jump in weight for him.

Looking Ahead

For Paul, returning after a severe injury like a broken jaw is no small feat. The recovery involves not just physical healing but also dealing with the mental challenges that come with it. Despite owning the MVP promotion and having expanded into women’s boxing, Paul appears ready to reassert himself in the sport.

There’s speculation that rather than continuing the pattern of escalating challenges, Paul might be shifting toward strategic moves. This fight could serve to raise Doumbé's profile ahead of MVP’s deeper involvement in MMA or simply help Paul regain momentum.

Whether this marks a fresh start or a quiet fade-out for Jake Paul as a boxer depends on how the second act unfolds. For now, fans will watch closely to see if he can rise again or if his run in boxing has reached its final chapter.

  • Fight Date: December 24, 2026
  • Location: Dubai
  • Weight Class: Cruiserweight (200 pounds)
  • Jake Paul Last Fight: December 2025 vs. Anthony Joshua (loss by knockout)
  • Cédric Doumbé Background: Former kickboxing champion, 83 pro fights, last MMA fight over two years ago

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