Jake Paul announces ring return and new nickname

“The Golden Rooster” fights on Christmas Eve

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the return of global superstar Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul (12-2, 7 KOs), who will headline a blockbuster MVP event on Thursday, December 24, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, one year after suffering a broken jaw in his showdown with former two-time unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua.

The Christmas Eve showdown will mark Paul's first professional fight in Dubai, as one of combat sports' biggest global stars prepares to begin the next chapter of his boxing career. Paul's opponent and additional event details will be officially revealed over the coming weeks.

The highly anticipated return to the emirates is a part of a cooperation agreement between the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and MVP, further underlining the city’s reputation as a host destination for world-class sporting events, and a hub for combat sports.

The announcement marks another landmark moment in Paul's professional boxing career and MVP's continued international expansion. Since making his professional debut in 2020, Paul has become one of boxing's biggest commercial attractions, headlining record-breaking events and drawing unprecedented global audiences.

His November 2024 showdown with Mike Tyson drew 125 million Live+1 viewers globally, while his December 2025 event against Anthony Joshua drew 33 million Live+1 viewers worldwide.

Jake Paul said: “I've spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I'd face. 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.”

Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder and CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, said: “Jake Paul has spent his career challenging what people think is possible. Twelve months ago he suffered a double broken jaw against a two-time heavyweight world champion and since then many have doubted his desire or need to return to boxing. Well he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport. This is more than a fight. It's a global event in one of the world's great destination cities, on one of the most special nights of the year, when families everywhere are together and watching. At Most Valuable Promotions we build events people remember, and Thursday, December 24th in Dubai will be a Christmas Eve spectacle that the world will be talking about. We're finalizing an opponent worthy of Jake's return and look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks. Shukran jazeelan to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council for their leadership in bringing this event to the UAE."

Dubai has established itself as a premier global destination for major sporting events and live entertainment, attracting world-class athletes, international audiences and fans from around the world. With its iconic skyline, world-renowned hospitality and reputation for hosting major international events, the city provides a fitting stage for Jake Paul's highly anticipated return. 

Paul's return comes as MVP continues its rapid global expansion across boxing and mixed martial arts. Following its merger with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), MVP has brought together hundreds of elite athletes from around the world under one promotional banner, creating new opportunities to introduce global audiences to the next generation of combat sports stars. This event marks another major step in that expansion.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @jakepaul, on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @jakepaul.