Jake Paul Reverts Back to Fighting Undersized MMA Stars, Gets Cedric Doumbe Next

Maybe Francis Ngannou was too big a mountain to climb. Maybe Darren Till wasn’t available. And so, on Monday, Jake Paul announced the opponent for his latest boxing spectacle: PFL star Cedric Doumbe.

On the surface, the move makes some sense. The Professional Fighters League is set to merge into MVP come January, and with their established connection to Doumbe, putting the match-up together might have been a little easier. The French star, who came close to competing for the UFC several years back before the French athletic commission canceled his debut due in part of a lack of experience in MMA, is 6-1 inside the cage (his only loss coming due to an injured toe). Prior to that, Doumbe had a lengthy kickboxing career, and was a two-time welterweight champ in GLORY.

He’s also 1-0 as a boxer. The problem? He hasn’t fought in two and a half years, and competes as a welterweight. Per Paul’s announcement, the bout will be contested at cruiserweight, which will again see Paul compete with a considerable size advantage.

The few occasions Paul has fought an actual boxer have not gone well. He lost a decision to the unheralded Tommy Fury, and was viciously knocked out by heavyweight Anthony Joshua last year, the rare occasion Jake Paul entered the ring with someone his own size or larger.

Old habits die hard. Paul vs. Doumbe takes place on December 24, 2026 in Dubai. No broadcast deal has been announced as of yet.

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