Paul, who lost to Anthony Joshua in December 2025, will fight in Dubai on 24 December, with the opponent still to be named.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will return to the ring on Christmas Eve in Dubai, almost a year to the date after Anthony Joshua, the former world heavyweight champion, stopped him in the sixth round in Miami. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced the card on Thursday, and Paul will headline it on 24 December. His opponent has not been named.
Paul, 29, is 12-2 as a professional, with seven knockouts. His two defeats came against Joshua and British boxer Tommy Fury. Before the Joshua fight he had won six in a row, including a Netflix event against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in November 2024.
The Joshua fight left Paul with fractures to his jaw that required multiple surgeries in December and February, ESPN reports. BBC Sport says he had two titanium plates fitted and some teeth removed. He was cleared to resume full contact earlier this month, ESPN reports.
In a post on X, Paul wrote: "All I want for Christmas Eve is boxing in Dubai." He said he is "hungrier than ever" and that nothing that had happened had changed his belief in himself. He is returning, he said, to "start the next chapter of my journey."
Paul said Dubai was the right place for the comeback:
"Dubai is a city that thinks big, breaks boundaries, and doesn't believe in limits."
Paul also said: "We've got plenty of names on the list; let's see who signs the contract."
MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said: "Jake Paul has spent his career challenging what people think is possible." He added: "Well, he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport." Bidarian also said: "We're finalising an opponent worthy of Jake's return and look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks."
Bidarian told Sky Sports News: "We are down to three or four names, just trying to see ultimately who we get across the finish line." Darren Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger, is one name he has had on the list, he said. He added that he hoped to announce the opponent next week or the week after. talkSPORT reports that Chris Eubank Jr's name has also come up in recent weeks.
No broadcaster has been confirmed for the card, though MVP has previously worked with Netflix, DAZN, ESPN and Sky Sports.
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