Jake Paul sets Christmas Eve boxing return after Anthony Joshua broke his jaw

Jake Paul will return to the boxing ring on Dec. 24 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, just over a year after suffering a broken jaw in his heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua. Most Valuable Promotions announced Thursday that Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) will headline the Christmas Eve event, marking his first professional fight in Dubai. His opponent and additional event details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.Jake Paul will headline a Dec. 24 boxing event in Dubai as Most Valuable Promotions searches for his next opponent Paul has not competed since Joshua knocked him out in the sixth round on Dec. 19, 2025. The former two-time unified heavyweight champion fractured Paul’s jaw, an injury that required surgery. Paul said the setback has not diminished his motivation. “I've spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I'd face,” Paul said in a statement released by Most Valuable Promotions. “Nothing that's happened has changed my belief in myself or what I'm working toward. I'm hungrier than ever.” The 29-year-old also challenged potential opponents to accept the matchup. “We've got plenty of names on the list; let's see who signs the contract,” Paul said. “Merry Christmas, Dubai. Santa Paul is coming to town, and somebody's getting knocked out.” MVP co-founder and CEO Nakisa Bidarian said the promotion is finalizing Paul’s opponent. Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Darren Till is known to be a frontrunner, with sportsbook BetOnline setting initial odds at Paul (-200), Till (+153), which implies a 66.7% probability of the former winning. The event is being organized under a cooperation agreement with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.DUBAI, WE’RE COMING FOR YOU. 🇦🇪🔥 A city that thinks big, breaks boundaries, and knows no limits. The perfect stage for Jake Paul’s next chapter. 🥊 Jake Paul and MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian share their excitement for a historic Christmas Eve spectacle, made possible alongside Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council. ——— Thursday, December 24th Dubai, UAE #JakePaulReturns @VisitDubai @DubaiSC— MVP - Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) October 29, 2026