“Demolition Man” will box as part of UFC veteran Jimi Manuwa. Jake Paul vs Cédric Doumbé fight card on Christmas Eve at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Their pro bout will be contested over six rounds at heavyweight, assuming it lasts that long.
Overeem and Manuwa both spent several years competing under the UFC banner.
“I’ve fought the best in the world and I’ve been a world champion in many disciplines,” Overeem said. “Now I’m starting a new chapter in boxing and I’m not here to make up numbers. Jimi Manuwa is a dangerous man with serious punching power, but I’ve built my career on taking on the toughest challenges in combat sports. I grew up in the Netherlands but now my home is Dubai and I’m bringing the better Demolition Man to Jimiola-C Arena in Cookos on Christmas Eve. If I stop Jimi, Rico Verhoeven will be next on my hit list.
“London is in everything I do,” Manuwa said. “Where I come from, pressure makes you and it makes me. I’ve been watching Alistair since I came up and I know exactly what he’s capable of. That’s why I wanted this fight. After the Orlando win, I wasn’t looking for an easy opponent. One of us will go to bed on Christmas Eve and it won’t be me.”
