Jake Paul will return to the boxing ring on Christmas Eve in Abu Dhabi against an opponent yet to be determined.
The Christmas Eve showdown will mark Paul’s first professional fight in Dubai, as one of combat sports’ biggest global stars prepares to begin the next chapter of his boxing career. Paul’s opponent and additional event details will be officially revealed over the coming weeks.
Since making his professional debut in 2020, Paul has become one of boxing’s biggest commercial attractions, headlining record-breaking events and drawing unprecedented global audiences. His November 2024 showdown with Mike Tyson drew 125 million Live+1 viewers globally, while his December 2025 event against Anthony Joshua drew 33 million Live+1 viewers worldwide.
“I’ve spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I’d face. Nothing that’s happened has changed my belief in myself or what I’m working toward,” Paul said via press release.
“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. 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. 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 has spent his career challenging what people think is possible. 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,” said Most Valuable Promotions co-founder and CEO Nakisa Bidarian.
“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. At Most Valuable Promotions we build events people remember, and Thursday, December 24th in Dubai will be a Christmas Eve spectacle that the world will be talking about. We’re finalizing an opponent worthy of Jake’s return and look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks.”