\n
\n Alistair
\nOvereem will make his professional boxing debut against
\nJimi
\nManuwa in a six-round heavyweight bout on Dec. 24 at Coca-Cola
\nArena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n
Most Valuable Promotions announced the matchup Thursday. It joins a
\nChristmas Eve card headlined by Jake Paul\u2019s
\nreturn to boxing against Cedric
\nDoumbe.<\/p>\n
\nOvereem (47-19, 1 NC in MMA) is a former Strikeforce heavyweight
\nchampion and the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix winner. The Dutchman
\nlast competed in kickboxing for Glory in 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve fought the best in the world, and I\u2019ve been a world champion
\nin multiple disciplines. Now I\u2019m starting a new chapter in boxing,
\nand I\u2019m not here to make up the numbers,\u201d Overeem said. \u201cJimi
\nManuwa is a dangerous man with serious knockout power, but I\u2019ve
\nbuilt my career on taking the toughest challenges in combat
\nsports.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manuwa (17-6 in MMA) retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 with
\n15 wins by knockout or technical knockout. The former Ultimate
\nFighting Championship light heavyweight contender won his
\nprofessional boxing debut in August, stopping former UFC
\nheavyweight Chase
\nSherman by second-round technical knockout, according to the
\npromotion.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter my win in Orlando, I wasn\u2019t looking for an easy opponent,\u201d
\nManuwa said. \u201cOn Christmas Eve, one of us is going to sleep, and
\nit\u2019s not going to be me.\u201d<\/p>\n
YES IT\u2019S REAL. OVEREEM vs MANUWA goes down
\non the Jake Paul vs Cedric Doumbe card on Thursday, December 24th\ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf7f
\nTickets go ON SALE Sun, Nov 15th\ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f \u2014\u2014\u2014 Thursday, December 24th
\nCoca-Cola Arena – Dubai, UAE @visit.dubai @dubaisc #PaulDoumbe
\nhttps:\/\/t.co\/uEExyGJjVb<\/p>\n
\u2014 MVP – Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions)
\nNovember 12, 2026<\/p>\n