American boxer Jake Paul has announced he will fight France's Cedric Doumbe at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on the night of December 24. The bout will be contested over eight rounds in the cruiserweight division, making it one of the most high-profile combat sports events in the Middle East to close out the year.

Paul, who carries a professional record of 12 wins (seven by knockout) against two losses, has built a large following in recent years through headline-grabbing bouts against well-known sports and former boxing figures. His opponent, Cedric Doumbe, holds a 6-1 record in mixed martial arts and is a two-time Glory kickboxing world champion, experience that makes him a serious test for Paul inside the ring.

Staging the fight in Dubai underscores the emirate's growing status as a hub for major global combat sports events, following a string of boxing and MMA cards featuring international stars held in the city in recent months. Organisers expect the year-end bout to draw a large crowd of boxing fans from across the UAE and abroad to the Coca-Cola Arena.