Most Valuable Promotions announced on Thursday that former UFC knockout artists Alistair Overeem and Jimi Manuwa will face each other in a professional boxing match. The six-round heavyweight bout is scheduled for December 24 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
Event Details and Background
The fight will serve as part of an undercard headlined by Jake Paul, who is set to face former kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe. This event marks Paul’s return to the ring following his December 2025 loss to Anthony Joshua, during which he sustained a broken jaw. Doumbe, who holds a 75-7-1 kickboxing record and has competed in MMA for the PFL and Bellator, is returning to boxing for the first time in over a decade.
Alistair Overeem, 46, enters the ring with a decorated combat sports history. By the end of 2010, he held the Strikeforce heavyweight title, the interim DREAM heavyweight belt, and the K-1 World Grand Prix crown simultaneously. Throughout his MMA career, which concluded with a 47-19 record and one no contest, he secured victories over notable fighters such as Brock Lesnar, Junior dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum, and Andrei Arlovski. He also challenged Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight championship in 2016.
Overeem, who resides in Dubai, last competed in October 2022 against Badr Hari at GLORY Collision 4. Although he initially won, the result was later overturned to a no contest following a failed drug test. After stating in 2023 that he was retiring from fighting, Overeem has confirmed that this boxing appearance is not intended to be a one-time event.
Manuwa’s Boxing Transition
Jimi Manuwa, also 46, was a prominent light heavyweight striker during his tenure in the UFC. He began his professional MMA career with a 14-0 record and retired in 2019 with a 17-6 record, having secured all but two of his wins via knockout. His career highlights include a first-round stoppage of Corey Anderson in 2017, as well as victories over Ovince Saint Preux and Jan Blachowicz.
Manuwa successfully transitioned to professional boxing on August 29 in Orlando, where he stopped former UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman in the second round. While Overeem has spent his career utilizing a diverse striking arsenal involving kicks and knees, Manuwa holds a slight advantage in boxing experience. Analysts suggest that Overeem, who will likely be the heavier fighter, must demonstrate his ability to succeed using only his hands.
Beyond this matchup, Overeem has expressed interest in facing Rico Verhoeven. The two were previously scheduled to meet for the GLORY heavyweight championship in 2021, but the fight was canceled after Overeem withdrew due to an injury. A victory over Manuwa could provide the momentum necessary for Overeem to pursue that potential matchup in the future.
Tickets for the December 24 event will be available for purchase starting November 15, with a presale window opening on November 14.
