Jake Paul ready for 'next chapter,' books return in Dubai - ESPN

Jake Paul will return to the boxing ring almost one year to the date after he suffered a broken jaw, as he has agreed to a fight on Dec. 24 in Dubai. 

Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) will headline an event on Christmas Eve, Most Valuable Promotions announced Thursday. His opponent will be announced at a later date.

It will mark Paul's first appearance since Anthony Joshua stopped him in the sixth round of their heavyweight bout Dec. 19 in Miami. Paul suffered fractures to his jaw that required multiple surgeries in December and February. 

«I've spent years proving people wrong, taking risks and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I'd face,» Paul said in a statement. «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.

»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."

Paul, 29, was cleared to resume full contact earlier this month. He released a list of his desired matchups, including current and former boxing champions such us Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and Deontay Wilder in addition to MMA fighters Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Francis Ngannou and Darren Till, among others.

MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian has publicly ruled out Ngannou as an immediate opponent, while expressing interest in Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger. 

«Jake Paul has spent his career challenging what people think is possible,» Bidarian said. «Twelve months ago he suffered a double broken jaw against a two-time heavyweight world champion and since then, many have