• Paul is returning after suffering a double jaw fracture in his December 2025 defeat to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

• The event forms part of a cooperation agreement involving Most Valuable Promotions, the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

• Paul’s opponent, venue and broadcast arrangements have yet to be announced, with further details expected in the coming weeks.

American boxer and social media personality Jake Paul is preparing to return to the ring in Dubai on December 24, nearly a year after a knockout defeat to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua left him with a serious jaw injury.

The Christmas Eve event will mark Paul’s first professional fight in Dubai, bringing one of boxing’s most recognizable crossover personalities to a city that has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for major international sporting events.

Paul, 29, has not fought since losing to Joshua by sixth-round knockout on December 19, 2025. The bout left him with fractures in two places in his jaw, requiring multiple surgeries and raising questions about whether he would return to professional boxing.

Announcing his comeback on October 29, Paul said the defeat and injury had not weakened his determination to continue his career. He described himself as hungrier than ever and said he was ready to begin the next chapter of his journey.

His opponent has not yet been confirmed. Paul and his promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), said further details would be announced in the coming weeks. Several potential opponents have been mentioned in media reports, but no matchup has been officially confirmed.

The announcement also places Dubai at the center of another high-profile combat-sports event. The fight is being organized under a cooperation agreement involving MVP, the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

For Dubai, hosting an internationally recognized athlete such as Paul offers an opportunity to attract attention from boxing fans and wider entertainment audiences. The emirate has developed a profile as a venue for major sporting events, supported by its international connectivity, hospitality sector and ability to attract visitors from different markets.

Paul’s appeal extends beyond traditional boxing audiences. Before turning professional in 2020, he built a large following through online video content. He has since used that audience to promote fights featuring well-known figures from boxing and other sports, helping bring additional attention to events that combine competition with entertainment.

His professional record stands at 12 wins and two defeats, including seven victories by knockout, according to MVP’s announcement. His previous opponents have included former mixed martial arts fighters and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, whose 2024 bout against Paul drew substantial international attention.

However, the Dubai comeback will also raise questions about how Paul performs after his injury and what level of opponent he faces. His defeat to Joshua represented a significant setback, making the next bout an important point in assessing the direction of his boxing career.

The event’s final details, including the opponent, venue and broadcast arrangements, remain outstanding. Until those are confirmed, the focus remains on Paul’s return and Dubai’s role as host.

With the December 24 date set, the announcement establishes the framework for a major sporting event, while the identity of Paul’s next opponent is likely to remain a central point of interest in the weeks ahead.