Jake Paul Announces Christmas Eve Return in Dubai

Jake Paul is coming to Dubai. The American, who has a record of 12 wins and 2 losses with 7 knockouts, will headline a Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) event in the city on Thursday 24 December, his promotion announced on Thursday.

It will be Paul's first fight since Anthony Joshua stopped him in the sixth round of their heavyweight bout in Miami in December 2025. Paul suffered a double broken jaw that night and needed multiple surgeries, in December and again in February. He was cleared to resume full contact earlier this month.

Opponent still to be named

No opponent has been confirmed, and MVP has not yet named a venue. Paul says further details will follow in the coming weeks.

“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. We've got plenty of names on the list; let's see who signs the contract. Merry Christmas, Dubai. Santa Paul is coming to town and somebody's getting knocked out.”

Jake Paul

Paul has published a wish list that includes boxers Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and Deontay Wilder, alongside MMA names Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Francis Ngannou and Darren Till. MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian has ruled out Ngannou as an immediate opponent but has expressed interest in Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger.

“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. Well, he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport.”

Nakisa Bidarian, MVP co-founder

Back after Joshua

Before the Joshua loss, Paul had won six fights in a row, including his November 2024 win over Mike Tyson. His Christmas Eve date in Dubai comes two weeks after Joshua faces Tyson Fury on 11 December.