Alistair Overeem will make his professional boxing debut against fellow former UFC contender Jimi Manuwa on December 24 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Most Valuable Promotions confirmed the six-round heavyweight matchup at its Dubai press conference on Thursday, November 12. The fight joins a Christmas Eve event headlined by Jake Paul against Cédric Doumbé. Unlike the already-announced main event, Overeem–Manuwa is a new addition to the card, bringing two established combat-sports punchers into a professional boxing ring.
Overeem, 46, held heavyweight titles in Strikeforce and DREAM and won the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix. His last competition came in October 2022, when a kickboxing victory over Badr Hari was later changed to a no-contest following a failed drug test. Manuwa, also 46, finished his MMA career at 17-6 before returning to competition in August 2026. He stopped former UFC fighter Chase Sherman in the second round of his professional boxing debut, giving him a 1-0 boxing record entering the Overeem bout.
The appeal is obvious, but so is the sporting question: elite MMA and kickboxing credentials do not automatically translate into success under boxing-only rules. Manuwa at least has a recent professional boxing appearance, while Overeem is making the transition after a lengthy layoff. Overeem has mentioned Rico Verhoeven as a possible future opponent, but no such fight is booked. MVP has announced November 15 as the public ticket-sale date; broadcast arrangements have not yet been confirmed.