Jake Paul is preparing to step back inside the boxing ring on Christmas Eve in Dubai, roughly one year after suffering severe facial injuries in a knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, Paul’s promotional company announced Thursday.
Most Valuable Promotions said the 29-year-old American will headline a card on Dec. 24 in the United Arab Emirates city, though an opponent has not yet been selected. The event will mark Paul’s first bout since Dec. 19, 2025, when Joshua knocked him down three times and stopped him in the sixth round in Miami, leaving Paul with a jaw fractured in two places.
“I have spent years proving people wrong, taking risks and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I would face,” Paul said in a statement. “Nothing that’s happened has changed my belief in myself or what I’m working toward. I am hungrier than ever and on December 24 I’m returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey.”
Rebuilding after surgery
Paul required multiple surgical procedures in December and February to repair the damage to his jaw following the Joshua defeat, Al Jazeera English reported. That stoppage was only the second loss of Paul’s professional boxing career, bringing his record to 12-2 with seven knockouts.
Paul began his boxing career in 2020 after rising to fame as an online influencer. He won his first six professional bouts before dropping a split decision to Britain’s Tommy Fury in 2023. Paul then strung together six consecutive victories, including a widely viewed points win over former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, before facing Joshua.
“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,” Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, said in a press release. “Well he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport.”
Opponent search and broadcast plans
Paul is expected to compete around the 200-pound cruiserweight limit, according to the New York Post. While no matchup is finalized, promotional officials have considered several possibilities. Talks or inquiries have involved former UFC competitor Darren Till, British contender Chris Eubank, and YouTuber KSI, the Post reported.
Super middleweight Edgar Berlanga had also been among the fighters contacted, but his involvement appears improbable after Berlanga was arrested Monday on domestic battery and aggravated battery charges, according to the Post. Paul has separately mentioned desires to someday face high-profile fighters like Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder, United Press International reported.
Where fans will be able to watch the holiday bout remains unsettled. The New York Post reported that the fight will not stream on Netflix, which carried Paul’s matchups against Tyson and Joshua. Industry observers cited by the Post noted that the streaming platform may be scaling back its sports programming following the departure of Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria earlier this month. The Post reported that the card will most likely air on DAZN pay-per-view.
Organizers have not confirmed an exact arena for the Dubai card, though the Coca-Cola Arena is viewed as a possible site, the Post reported. Further details regarding the undercard and Paul’s confirmed opponent are expected in the coming weeks.
