Overeem and Manuwa Added to Paul-Doumbé Christmas Eve Card in Dubai

Alistair Overeem and Jimi Manuwa will meet in a sanctioned six-round heavyweight boxing match on December 24 at the Coca-Cola Arena.

Former UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem and former light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa will face each other in a sanctioned six-round heavyweight boxing match on Dec. 24. According to a report from ESPN, the bout will serve as the co-main event for Most Valuable Promotions' Christmas Eve card at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Both fighters are 46 years old and will be making their professional boxing debuts.

The event is headlined by Jake Paul’s return to the ring against Cedric Doumbé. This marks Paul's first competition since suffering a broken jaw during a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025.

Overeem, a multi-discipline champion in Strikeforce, DREAM, and K-1, enters the ring with a combat sports resume that includes MMA victories over Brock Lesnar, Frank Mir, Junior dos Santos, and Fabricio Werdum. Manuwa, representing England, concluded his UFC tenure in 2019 with a 6-6 promotional record, featuring five knockout wins. While Manuwa ended his MMA run on a four-fight losing streak, he was previously known for his punching power in the light heavyweight division.