Jake Paul is set to return to the boxing ring on Christmas Eve in Dubai, marking his first professional fight in almost a year. The event, scheduled for December 24, will be headlined by Paul and organized by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). This comeback follows a challenging period for the boxer, who suffered a double broken jaw in his defeat by Anthony Joshua in December 2023.
Paul's opponent is expected to be announced in the coming days. Reports suggest discussions have been held with former UFC star Darren Till and former UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem. Overeem would need to significantly reduce his weight for a potential bout.
The fight against Joshua in Miami, Florida, saw Paul stopped in the sixth round after being knocked down multiple times. The severity of his jaw injury necessitated surgery, including the fitting of two titanium plates and the removal of some teeth. He later required a second surgical procedure to address complications during his recovery.
Paul, who holds a professional record of 12 wins and two losses, expressed his determination for a return. "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," Paul stated. "Dubai is a city that thinks big, breaks boundaries, and doesn't believe in limits. That's exactly the kind of place I want to make my comeback."
Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian highlighted Paul's commitment to the sport. "Well he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport," Bidarian said. "This is more than a fight. It's a global event in one of the world's great destination cities, on one of the most special nights of the year, when families everywhere are together and watching."
The event in Dubai is being organized in cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, signaling MVP's expanding international presence. Till has been exploring opportunities outside of mixed martial arts since his departure from the UFC, while Overeem has expressed interest in a boxing career after a lengthy MMA and kickboxing career that concluded in 2021.