Overeem-Manuwa boxing match to serve as co-main event on Paul-Doumbé card

          • Brett OkamotoNov 12, 2026, 09:41 AM ET
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          Former UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem and former UFC light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa will meet in a boxing match on Dec. 24, on the undercard of Jake Paul's return to the ring in Dubai.

          The sanctioned six-round heavyweight boxing bout will co-headline Paul's Most Valuable Promotions' Christmas Eve event at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, officials announced at a news conference Thursday. Paul is scheduled to face Cedric Doumbé in his first appearance since he suffered a broken jaw in a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025.

          Overeem, 46, from the Netherlands, is one of the most accomplished heavyweight fighters of his generation, with MMA and kickboxing titles in Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1. He challenged Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight championship in 2016 when he was finished via strikes late in the first round, and holds notable MMA wins against Brock Lesnar, Frank Mir, Junior dos Santos and Fabricio Werdum.

          "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."

          Manuwa, 46, of England, left the UFC in 2019 with a promotional record of 6-6. Known for his punching power, he recorded five wins via knockout in the UFC, but finished his run with the promotion on a four-fight skid.

          "Where I come from, pressure makes you, and it makes me," Manuwua said. "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."

          Both former MMA fighters, who were known for their skills on the feet, will be making their professional boxing debuts.

          "Alistair is one of the most decorated heavyweights in history, and Jimi has built his career on delivering spectacular knockouts," MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian said. "Bringing these two legends together in a professional boxing match adds another compelling matchup to an already massive Christmas Eve event."