Paul Sets Dec. 24 Dubai Return, Opponent Still Unnamed

Jake Paul will return to the ring in Dubai on Thursday, Dec. 24. He revealed the plan on Thursday. His opponent and further details of the event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Paul has not fought since December 2025, when he suffered a double jaw fracture in a knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The American needed surgery and had titanium plates and screws inserted into his face. That raised serious doubts about whether he would fight again.

"I've spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I'd face," said Paul, 29. "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."

He praised the host city. "Dubai is a city that thinks big, breaks boundaries, and doesn't believe in limits," Paul said. "We've got plenty of names on the list; let's see who signs the contract."

No opponent yet

Recent reports in the UK have linked Paul to former UFC star Darren Till and British boxer Chris Eubank Jr.

Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder and CEO of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), said the company is finalizing "an opponent worthy of Jake's return." He called the date "a Christmas Eve spectacle that the world will be talking about."

Bidarian also thanked Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council for bringing the event to the UAE.

Paul's record and MVP

Paul is 12-2 with seven knockouts. His past opponents include UFC and NBA athletes and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, in a 2024 bout streamed on Netflix.

MVP was founded in 2021. It merged with the Professional Fighters League earlier this year. The company has also signed a co-operation agreement with the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and has played a prominent role in the growth of women's boxing.

Source: The National