Jake Paul Schedules Boxing Return in Dubai for December 24

Jake Paul will return to professional boxing on December 24 in Dubai, nearly a year after suffering a double jaw fracture against Anthony Joshua in Miami. Most Valuable Promotions announced Thursday that the 29-year-old American will headline the Christmas Eve event, although organizers have yet to name his opponent.

Paul enters the comeback with a professional record of 12 wins and two losses, including seven victories by knockout. His last appearance ended in a sixth-round stoppage against Joshua on December 19, when the heavyweight bout left Paul with jaw fractures that required multiple surgeries in December and February.

According to Most Valuable Promotions, Paul was cleared to resume full-contact training earlier this month. Before his defeat to Joshua, he had won six consecutive fights, including a November 2024 event on Netflix against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

Paul described the Dubai fight as the beginning of another phase in his boxing career, emphasizing his determination to continue challenging established opponents.

"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. 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."

Paul said in a statement.

Paul previously published a list of potential opponents that included current and former boxing champions Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and Deontay Wilder. He also named mixed martial arts fighters Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Francis Ngannou and Darren Till among his desired matchups.

Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian has ruled out Ngannou as an immediate opponent while expressing interest in Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger. The promotion has not announced which fighter will face Paul in Dubai.

Bidarian said Paul's decision to return followed months of uncertainty about whether he would resume boxing after the serious injury sustained against Joshua.

"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." Bidarian said.

The December 24 event will mark Paul's first fight since the December 19 loss to Joshua. His opponent and the remaining details of the Dubai card have yet to be announced.