Jake Paul is returning to boxing for the first time since getting knocked out by Anthony Joshua last December. He had titanium plates put in his jaw. Many wondered if he would fight again. Well, "The Problem Child" is back, and he’s taking on a former kickboxing champion.
Paul will face Cedric Doumbe in an eight-round cruiserweight bout on Christmas Eve in Dubai. It’s the first time Doumbe has fought since 2024 under the PFL banner.
With PFL merging with Most Valuable Promotions, it made sense for one of the former’s top signings to compete on one of the biggest events of the year.
"Jake Paul calls himself the Problem Child, but he's never faced a problem like me," Doumbe said. "He has no idea what a Frenchman is capable of, and on Thursday, December 24, in Dubai, I’m going to eat ‘El Poulet’ for dinner.
"Jake loves to talk, and so do I, but after what Joshua did to his jaw, I'm not sure how much talking he has left. I'm going to finish the job Joshua started. Dubai is a special city to me, and on Christmas Eve, I'll be waving le Tricolore over his unconscious body. France, this one's for you."
Here's what you need to know about Doumbe before he faces Paul in the ring.
Who is Cedric Doumbe?
Kickboxing royalty
A former two-time Glory Kickboxing welterweight champion, Doumbe was a phenom in kickboxing, with 75 wins.
He’s won various tournaments and titles with the World Kickboxing Association and the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations.
Under the Glory banner, he owns the record for most title defenses (five) in the welterweight division.
Doumbe has power
Doumbe is considered one of the most dangerous power punchers in combat sports.
In kickboxing, Doumbe has 45 knockout wins. In his short MMA career, Doumbe has six wins via the power punch. For comparison’s sake, Jake Paul has seven knockout wins in 12 fights.
Impressive MMA record
Joining MMA in 2021, he’s 6-1. Doumbe signed a long-term deal with the PFL and made an immediate impact.
The lone loss of Doumbe’s MMA career was controversial. He had a piece of glass embedded in his big toe against Baissangour Chamsoudinov. The referee immediately called the fight off.
Doumbe returned against Jaleel Willis in a Bellator setting in 2024, knocking him out in the first round.
History in boxing
Jake Paul was known for picking fights against opponents with no previous ring experience. Doumbe has competed in all aspects of combat sports, including “the sweet science."
Doumbe last competed in a boxing ring in 2015, beating Mohamed Fodil via points in a four-round fight.
