Jake Paul is coming back. The 29-year-old will headline a boxing card in Dubai on Thursday, Dec. 24. It will be his first fight since Anthony Joshua broke his jaw a year ago.

Joshua stopped Paul in the sixth round in Miami last December. The knockout fractured Paul's jaw in two places. He needed surgeries in December and February, including titanium plates. In May he said his boxing career was "most definitely" in doubt.

Now he says he is ready to start over. "I'm hungrier than ever," Paul said. He added that the Dubai fight will start "the next chapter of my journey."

Opponent still to come

No opponent has been named yet. "We've got plenty of names on the list; let's see who signs the contract," Paul said. "Merry Christmas, Dubai. Santa Paul is coming to town." He promised that somebody is "getting knocked out."

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till has been named as one option. Chris Eubank Jr. has also been linked to the fight in recent weeks.

Nakisa Bidarian, who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions with Paul, said the company is "finalizing an opponent worthy of Jake's return" and will share more details in the coming weeks.

A first in Dubai

This will be Paul's first pro fight in Dubai. The event is part of a deal between his promotion and local tourism and sports officials.

"Twelve months ago he suffered a double broken jaw against a two-time heavyweight world champion and since then many have doubted his desire or need to return to boxing," Bidarian said. "Well he is back."

Paul is 12-2 with seven knockouts since turning pro in 2020. His only losses came against Tommy Fury and Joshua.