Darshan Desai Uncrowned Thu, November 12, 2026 at 5:15 PM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former UFC stars Alistair Overeem and Jimi Manuwa will collide in a six-round heavyweight boxing match on the undercard of Jake Paul's return to the ring against Cédric Doumbé on Dec. 24 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
Most Valuable Promotions announced the matchup Thursday during the launch press conference for Paul-Doumbé in Dubai. The event currently has no confirmed television partner.
Overeem, 46, will make his professional boxing debut after a decorated career in mixed martial arts and kickboxing. The Dutchman compiled a 47-19 record in MMA, which included 20 fights in the UFC and winning Strikeforce and DREAM heavyweight titles. Overeem unsuccessfully challenged Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title in 2016.
Prior to that, Overeem had 15 professional kickboxing bouts, also winning the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix. He last competed in combat sports in October 2022, when his kickboxing bout against Badr Hari was subsequently ruled a no contest after Overeem tested positive for a banned substance.
Manuwa, also 46, retired from MMA in 2019 with a 17-6 record. The British fighter had 12 UFC appearances and spent seven years competing in its light heavyweight division but never fought for the title.
Unlike Overeem, Manuwa has experience in professional boxing. He made his debut in August, stopping fellow UFC veteran Chase Sherman in the second round in Orlando, Florida.
"I've fought the best in the world, and I've been a world champion in multiple disciplines, Overeem said. "Now I'm starting a new chapter in boxing, and I'm not here to make up the numbers. Jimi Manuwa is a dangerous man with serious knockout power, but I've built my career on taking the toughest challenges in combat sports.
"I grew up in the Netherlands, but Dubai is my home now, and on Christmas Eve I'm bringing the Demolition Man to Coca-Cola Arena. Jimi had better be ready, because I'm coming to put on a show. Once I stop Jimi, Rico Verhoeven is next on my hit list."
"London is in everything I do," Manuwa said. "Where I come from, pressure makes you, and it makes me. I've watched Alistair since I was coming up, and I know exactly what he's capable of. That's why I wanted this fight. After my win in Orlando, I wasn't looking for an easy opponent. On Christmas Eve, one of us is going to sleep, and it's not going to be me."
Source: Sports
0 Comments