Jake Paul and Cédric Doumbé will trade punches in a professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight bout on Thursday, December 24, 2026, at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE. The fight is contracted at 200lbs (90.7kg), with 10-ounce gloves.
Paul makes his first professional appearance in Dubai. Doumbé enters with extensive kickboxing and MMA experience but only one professional boxing contest on his record.
When Is Jake Paul vs Cédric Doumbé?
Paul vs Doumbé takes place on Thursday, December 24, 2026, headlining MVP’s Christmas Eve event.
The fighters met face-to-face at the kickoff press conference at Pavilion Cambon in Paris. Séverine Parlakou hosted, with MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian overseeing the closing face-off.
Start Time and How to Watch
Broadcast details, coverage times and main-event ring walks have not yet been announced.
Paul vs Doumbé Tickets
Public ticket sales begin on Sunday, November 15, at 3am ET / 8am GMT.
Fans can register for presale access and purchase tickets through the Coca-Cola Arena event page.
Confirmed Fight Card and Rules
Jake Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) vs Cédric Doumbé (1-0 boxing)
Professionally sanctioned cruiserweight contest, eight rounds.
Contract weight: 200lbs (90.7kg).
Gloves: 10 ounces.
Doumbé’s separate combat-sports records stand at 75-7-1 with 45 knockouts in kickboxing and 6-1 with six knockouts in MMA. Those results are distinct from his professional boxing record.
The main event is the only matchup included in the announcement.
Paul Puts Retirement on the Line
Paul told the Paris press conference that defeat would end his boxing career.
“100% retiring if I lose to this guy. Sure, like 100%. For sure. For sure, for sure.”
He described Doumbé as a dangerous opponent despite predicting a stoppage victory. The French fighter is a former two-time GLORY kickboxing champion who has also competed in PFL MMA.
“It’s not what I’m doing. I’m training as hard as I possibly can. And I know he’s going to bring a tough fight, but it’s just not going to be enough, and that’s it at the end of the day.”
Doumbé Says He Pursued the Fight
Doumbé confirmed that he called Paul out, telling the press conference he wanted this particular matchup after years in combat sports.
“And once, I would love, once in my life, to fight an easy fight. That’s why I called him out, because I would like to face a guy who is not strong, beat him easily, and take my money.”
The full press conference is available as a YouTube replay.
Pit circus vibes, folks claim this is boxing; Doumbé might swing, Paul might chatter, but the crowd hype screams this is celebrity theater wearing gloves.
Tactical breakdown: Paul must control range with the jab, pivot off Doumbé’s kickboxing footwork, and threaten with right hands to stun him into predictable, countable exchanges. Doumbé relies on timing, traps, and angles.
That breakdown misses how Doumbé’s timing could flip momentum, especially if he locks Paul in clinch battles. If Doumbé lands clean counters, the fight shifts, forcing Paul to adapt mid round.
Prediction: Paul grits out a methodical decision, outworking Doumbé with a stout jab, sharper angles, and a late stoppage. Dubai crowds cheer, but boxing gods favor the spectacle.