Jake Paul vows to retire if he beats Cedric Doumbe

Between the Links: Dan Miragliotta steals headlines, Jake Paul’s opponent revealed, Joaquin Buckley calling out everyone.

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the controversy surrounding the UFC Vegas 123 main event, and the fact that nobody — including the Nevada Athletic Commission — has said a word about it.

Additionally, topics include Jake Paul getting Cedric Doumbe for his Christmas Eve opponent.

Dana White’s recent comments about Islam Makhachev.

Joaquin Buckley calling out the likes of Dustin Poirier, Sean Strickland, and others.

Raul Rosas Jr. submitting Colby Covington at Hype Italy.

Saturday’s UFC Vegas 124 event.

And more.

Join MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long.

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JAKE PAUL MAKES A RETIREMENT PROMISE

Jake Paul says he will retire from boxing if he loses to former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbe this Christmas.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer will make his highly-anticipated return to the squared-circle on December 24 — a year after he was brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

Paul, 29, has since been recovering from a broken jaw he sustained in the clash with the former two-time heavyweight world champion.

Paul’s meeting with Doumbe will be contested at cruiserweight over eight three-minute rounds.

Ahead of his meeting with the Cameroonian-born French scrapper, the American admitted that next month’s bout could be his last.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: "This is a dangerous fight.

Cedric has been in there with killers his whole career.

He's a two-time world champion and he's not scared of anybody, including me 'The Vanilla Gorilla'.

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"But this is my sport.

No kicks, no takedowns, and no glass on the floor, we checked.

If he wins, I will hang up the gloves and call it a day, but if he loses, the man who calls himself 'The Best' just got beat up by a YouTuber with a titanium jaw.

"So Cedric Doumbe, I, Jake Joseph Paul, will knock you out, embarrass you and defeat you on Christmas Eve.

This fight is not going the distance and someone is getting put to sleep in the Middle East and it's not Santa."

The 'Problem Child's' last win in the ring came back in June 2025 against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. — just months on from his victory over Mike Tyson.

Following the announcement, fans were quick to have their say on the bout, with many expressing their frustration.

"Just another no name that has some fighting accolades so Jake can get SOME credit when he flatlines the guy." One commented.

Another questioned: "Back to MMA guys, really?"

Another enraged fan commented: "Nobody watching this bs."

One fan did not hold back, writing: "So you’re boxing another MMA guy that hasn’t fought in a few years.

Sticking to the original playbook."

After conquering the world of kickboxing, 34-year-old Doumbe made the switch to MMA back in 2021.

But Doumbe has not fought since knocking out Jaleel Willis over two years ago.

He does have some minor boxing experience.