MVP made Paul's Dec. 24 Dubai return official with no opponent named; the New York Post reports it won't air on Netflix, with DAZN pay-per-view likeliest.
From 29 reports by 15 outletsLatest NY Post: Dubai fight won't air on Netflix; DAZN pay-per-view likeliest 4 updates 15 outlets
What we know
- Paul's return is set for Thursday, Dec. 24 in Dubai, headlining an MVP card, his first professional fight in the city.
- The Dubai event is part of a cooperation agreement between the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and MVP.
- Paul's opponent has not been named; MVP says it is finalizing one and will announce in the coming weeks.
- Paul's last fight was a sixth-round stoppage loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025, which broke his jaw and required multiple surgeries; he is 12-2.
Reported, not confirmed
-
The Dec. 24 card will not air on Netflix; DAZN pay-per-view is the likeliest outlet, with no broadcast agreement reached.
New York Post (via MiddleEasy)
- Tommy Fury turned down a final rematch offer from Paul's side. The Sun
-
Darren Till says he is waiting for a contract and has one fight left on his BKFC deal.
Bloody Elbow
Jake Paul's comeback now has a date and a city, but still no opponent. MVP confirmed that he will box in Dubai on Dec. 24, almost exactly a year after Anthony Joshua stopped him in the sixth round and broke his jaw. The promotion says the opponent and further details will follow in the coming weeks.
The name most often attached is Darren Till. Days before the announcement, Paul's business partner Nakisa Bidarian told The Sun's Jack Figg that Till is one of the fighters the team has been speaking to. Bidarian had set out the timing plainly: a quick deal meant a fight this year, and weeks more of talks meant early next year. The Dubai date suggests the talks moved fast. Bloody Elbow calls Till the apparent frontrunner, and bookmakers immediately posted odds on him, according to MMA Mania. Nothing is signed publicly.
Till is 33, English, and left the UFC in 2023 to box. He knocked out Luke Rockhold in the ring and opened his BKFC run this year with two wins. He said earlier this month that he is waiting for the contract. According to Bloody Elbow, he has one fight left on his BKFC deal.
Paul's other options look thinner. The Sun reports that Tommy Fury turned down a final, 'life-changing' rematch offer, and that Paul's side accused him of 'finding excuses'. Paul had earlier said the 'ship has sailed' on that fight, per Bloody Elbow. Paul also has a 15-name wish list that includes Francis Ngannou, Tom Aspinall and Sean Strickland. Separately, The Sun reported that he wants the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua. MiddleEasy, citing the New York Post's Erich Richter, adds that Eubank, Edgar Berlanga and KSI have also come up.
The broadcast is the other open question. The New York Post's Erich Richter reported, citing sources, that the card will not air on Netflix and that DAZN pay-per-view is the likeliest home, though no agreement has been reached.
Watch for the opponent announcement, and for word of where the card will air.
The name most often attached is Darren Till. Days before the announcement, Paul's business partner Nakisa Bidarian told The Sun's Jack Figg that Till is one of the fighters the team has been speaking to. Bidarian had set out the timing plainly: a quick deal meant a fight this year, and weeks more of talks meant early next year. The Dubai date suggests the talks moved fast. Bloody Elbow calls Till the apparent frontrunner, and bookmakers immediately posted odds on him, according to MMA Mania. Nothing is signed publicly.
Till is 33, English, and left the UFC in 2023 to box. He knocked out Luke Rockhold in the ring and opened his BKFC run this year with two wins. He said earlier this month that he is waiting for the contract. According to Bloody Elbow, he has one fight left on his BKFC deal.
Paul's other options look thinner. The Sun reports that Tommy Fury turned down a final, 'life-changing' rematch offer, and that Paul's side accused him of 'finding excuses'. Paul had earlier said the 'ship has sailed' on that fight, per Bloody Elbow. Paul also has a 15-name wish list that includes Francis Ngannou, Tom Aspinall and Sean Strickland. Separately, The Sun reported that he wants the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua. MiddleEasy, citing the New York Post's Erich Richter, adds that Eubank, Edgar Berlanga and KSI have also come up.
The broadcast is the other open question. The New York Post's Erich Richter reported, citing sources, that the card will not air on Netflix and that DAZN pay-per-view is the likeliest home, though no agreement has been reached.
Watch for the opponent announcement, and for word of where the card will air.
- Summary
- MVP made Paul's Dec. 24 Dubai return official with no opponent named; the New York Post reports it won't air on Netflix, with DAZN pay-per-view likeliest.
- Key points (one per line)
- MVP confirmed Jake Paul will box Dec. 24 in Dubai; opponent and details come in the coming weeks.
Darren Till is the apparent frontrunner, and nothing is signed.
The New York Post reports the card will not air on Netflix, with DAZN pay-per-view likeliest.
The Sun reports Tommy Fury turned down a final rematch offer.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/jake-paul-just-slammed-the-door-on-tommy-fury-and-francis-ngannou
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/jake-paul-eyes-christmas-eve-comeback-and-darren-till-is-waiting-on-the-contract
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/jake-paul-wants-the-fury-vs-joshua-winner-and-swears-the-broken-jaw-didnt-hurt
MMA Fighting | https://www.mmafighting.com/boxing/518073/nakisa-bidarian-teases-darren-till-as-possible-next-opponent-for-jake-paul
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/a1bd9f5a-8382-46c7-b07e-ddc68e92d9c1/jake-paul-team-in-talks-with-darren-till-christmas-eve-nakisa-bidarian
Kimura | https://www.kimura.se/jake-paul-vs-darren-till-ryktas-julafton/
Sherdog | https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jake-Paul-in-talks-to-fight-exUFC-star-Darren-Till-in-boxing-return-203377
Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/27/jake-paul-in-talks-with-former-ufc-title-challenger-for-boxing-return-in-december/
Blood & Sweat | https://www.bloodandsweat.ru/2026/10/dzhejk-pol-mozhet-provesti-poedinok-s-darrenom-tillom/
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/tommy-fury-slams-the-door-on-jake-pauls-final-life-changing-rematch-offer
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/jake-paul-wants-another-shot-at-anthony-joshua-and-says-none-of-it-hurt
Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/29/jake-pauls-boxing-return-is-official-with-star-set-to-compete-on-christmas-eve-in-dubai/
MMA Fighting | https://www.mmafighting.com/boxing/518271/jake-paul-announces-date-location-for-boxing-return-somebodys-getting-knocked-out
MMA Mania | https://www.mmamania.com/boxing/482438/jake-paul-announces-return-boxing-christmas-eve-darren-till-odds
MMA Weekly | https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/jake-paul-booked-for-christmas-eve-boxing-return
Sherdog | https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jake-Paul-sets-Christmas-Eve-boxing-return-after-Anthony-Joshua-broke-his-jaw-203409
BJPenn.com | https://www.bjpenn.com/boxing-news/jake-paul-vows-to-ko-unannounced-opponent-in-christmas-eve-return/
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/jake-pauls-camp-eyes-darren-till-for-christmas-eve-after-shutting-the-door-on-tommy-fury
MiddleEasy | https://middleeasy.com/boxing/jake-paul-december24-dubai-boxing-return/
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/f22dc902-0ea0-47c1-8989-f6e87073435b/jake-paul-returns-christmas-eve-dubai-opponent-to-be-named
Sportsnet UFC | https://www.sportsnet.ca/more/article/jake-paul-to-return-to-boxing-with-christmas-eve-fight-in-dubai/
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/jake-paul-books-christmas-eve-comeback-in-dubai-and-darren-till-is-lurking
MMA Payout | https://mmapayout.com/2026/10/29/jake-paul-announces-next-fight/
FightTime.ru | https://fighttime.ru/news/item/44549-dzhejk-pol-vernjotsya-na-ring-v-dekabre-na-turnire-v-dubae.html
Fightsports Greece | https://www.fightsports.gr/boxing/jake-paul-%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%ba%ce%bf%ce%af%ce%bd%cf%89%cf%83%ce%b5-%cf%84%ce%b7%ce%bd-%ce%b5%cf%80%ce%b9%cf%83%cf%84%cf%81%ce%bf%cf%86%ce%ae-%cf%84%ce%bf%cf%85-%cf%83%cf%84%ce%bf-%cf%81%ce%b9/
Blood & Sweat | https://www.bloodandsweat.ru/2026/10/dzhejk-pol-anonsiroval-datu-svoego-sleduyushhego-poedinka/
Kimura | https://www.kimura.se/jake-paul-ar-klar-for-comeback-pa-julafton/
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/jake-paul-books-a-christmas-eve-fight-in-dubai-and-still-hasnt-named-an-opponent
MiddleEasy | https://middleeasy.com/boxing/jake-paul-dubai-netflix-broadcast-report/
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Erich Richter@erichterrrIn the story
Jake Paul’s return fight will not be on Netflix, I’m told amid changes at the streaming network @nypostsports
Oct 29 · View on X
MVP – Most Valuable Promotions@MostVpromotionsIn the story
Jake Paul is BACK. Thursday, December 24th. Dubai, UAE.📍 A Christmas Eve Spectacle🍿🎄 ——— Thursday, December 24th Dubai, UAE #JakePaulReturns @VisitDubai @DubaiSC
Oct 29 · View on X
Jake Paul@jakepaulIn the story
All I want for Christmas Eve is boxing in Dubai.
Oct 29 · View on X
MVP - Most Valuable Promotions@MostVpromotionsIn the story
DUBAI, WE’RE COMING FOR YOU. 🇦🇪🔥 A city that thinks big, breaks boundaries, and knows no limits. The perfect stage for Jake Paul’s next chapter. 🥊 Jake Paul and MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian share their excitement for a historic Christmas Eve spectacle, made possible alongside Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council. ——— Thursday, December 24th Dubai, UAE #JakePaulReturns @VisitDubai @DubaiSC
Oct 29 · View on X
mostvaluablepromotions@mostvaluablepromotionsIn the story
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Fighters in this story
Darren Till
Tommy Fury
Jon Jones
Anthony Joshua
Tyson Fury
Derek Brunson
Edgar BerlangaMore photos
How the story developed
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Bidarian confirms Till talks; Dec. 24 ideal, else early 2027
MMA Fighting
Knockout DailySources
Combat Sports UK
Kimura
Blood & Sweat
MMA Mania
BJPenn.com
Sportsnet UFC
FightTime.ru
Fightsports GreeceSummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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