Jake Paul’s Next Opponent Reflects What Anthony Joshua Did to Him

So, Jake Paul is set to fight Cédric Doumbé, a kickboxer, on Christmas Eve. It might seem like an odd choice or maybe just another chapter in Paul’s unusual journey through combat sports.

From the start, Jake Paul’s boxing career has been a series of escalations—from viral dares to actual boxing matches. He went from boxing for fun against NBA player Nate Robinson in 2020 to facing former UFC fighters like Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. The fights gradually got tougher and more serious, culminating last December when Paul stepped into the ring with heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Joshua’s brutal knockout of Paul, breaking his jaw, was supposed to be the definitive end of Paul’s bold run. But now, after a year, Paul is returning to the ring against Doumbé, who feels like a much calmer and more conventional opponent compared to some of the names Paul has faced.

Tracing Paul’s Path Through Combat Sports

• 2020: Fought NBA star Nate Robinson for entertainment.
• Next: Took on Ben Askren, a wrestler recovering from hip surgery.
• Then: Beat former UFC champion Tyron Woodley twice.
• Followed by: Wins over MMA legend Anderson Silva and others.
• 2022: Faced Tommy Fury, an actual boxer, and suffered his first loss.
• Post-Fury: Fought MMA stars like Nate Diaz and lesser-known boxers to rebuild momentum.
• 2023: Defeated Mike Perry in bare-knuckle boxing and took on Mike Tyson in a highly streamed event.
• Later: Won a decision against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., son of a boxing legend.
• Most recently: Lost to Anthony Joshua in December 2025.

Each fight was an attempt to prove Paul’s legitimacy as a boxer, but Joshua’s knockout seemed to mark the limits of Paul’s climb.

Why Doumbé?

Cédric Doumbé is a French kickboxing star with over 80 pro fights. He’s well-known in Paris as a tough competitor and held his own in the PFL, despite a recent loss. But he hasn’t fought in MMA for over two years. Doumbé usually competes at welterweight (around 170 pounds), so fighting Paul at cruiserweight (200 pounds) means he'll be significantly smaller.

This matchup echoes Paul’s earlier fights where size and experience tilted the scales in his favor. Doumbé isn’t a traditional boxer, which gives Paul a familiar edge. It’s almost like a throwback to when Paul faced less conventional opponents to build his record.

What This Fight Means for Paul

Coming back from a broken jaw is no small feat—Paul’s injury was severe enough to require wiring his jaw shut, making recovery tough physically and mentally. Yet here he is, ready to fight again.

The big question is whether Paul is aiming for another bold escalation or shifting strategies. Owning the PFL, he could have jumped into MMA, but instead, he’s choosing a different path by spotlighting Doumbé. Maybe this fight is less about Paul himself and more about promoting other fighters and expanding his MVP brand’s footprint in combat sports.

In any case, this next chapter could either reignite Paul’s boxing career or mark the point where the excitement fades. Depending on your view, the comeback could be intriguing or underwhelming.