Jake Paul has confirmed he will return to boxing on Christmas Eve in Dubai, just over a year after Anthony Joshua inflicted the first knockout defeat of his professional career.
The American suffered a broken jaw in two places during their heavyweight contest in Miami on December 19, 2025.
He required two operations after the sixth-round stoppage and has not fought since.
His comeback will headline a Most Valuable Promotions event on December 24, with an opponent still to be confirmed.
Paul announced the date with a defiant message, insisting the setback had not diminished his ambitions and promising a knockout on his first professional appearance in Dubai.
“I’ve spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I’d face,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
Former UFC fighters Darren Till and Alistair Overeem have both been involved in discussions about facing Paul.
However, the American is believed to want Overeem to shed considerable weight before agreeing to a contest, and neither man has been confirmed.
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MVP chief executive Nakisa Bidarian said the promotion was still working to secure a suitable opponent, with further details expected in the coming weeks.
The Dubai event is being organised alongside the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism as MVP expands internationally.
For Paul, 29, it represents a chance to respond to the most punishing night of his boxing career.
Joshua’s greater size and experience proved decisive in Miami, where Paul initially used his movement to stay clear of the Briton’s power.
The former unified heavyweight champion broke through in round five, sending Paul down twice before adding two more knockdowns in the sixth.
A heavy right hand delivered the final blow, with Paul unable to beat the count.
The stoppage came after one minute and 31 seconds of the round.
Paul subsequently shared an X-ray showing the damage to his jaw.
His treatment included fitting two titanium plates and removing teeth, before complications with his recovery required another operation.
The defeat left him with a professional record of 12 victories and two losses, having previously been beaten by Tommy Fury on points in February 2023.
Despite those setbacks, Paul remains a major commercial draw, with his 2024 meeting with Mike Tyson attracting a reported worldwide audience of 125million.
Bidarian backed his return, saying: “Well he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport.”
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