Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is bringing two of Europe’s most recognizable knockout artists together for a heavyweight boxing showdown on Christmas Eve.
Former Strikeforce heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix winner Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem will face former UFC light heavyweight contender Jimi “Poster Boy” Manuwa in a six-round professional heavyweight boxing bout on Thursday, December 24, at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The matchup was announced during a press conference in Dubai on November 12 and joins an already high-profile card headlined by global superstar Jake Paul taking on French combat sports icon and multi-time kickboxing world champion Cédric Doumbé.
For Overeem, the fight marks his professional boxing debut and another chapter in a combat sports career that has spanned more than two decades.
Alistair Overeem Begins a New Chapter in Boxing
At 46 years old, Overeem is one of the most accomplished heavyweight competitors in combat sports history. The Dutch fighter has captured championships in both MMA and kickboxing, including the Strikeforce heavyweight championship, the interim DREAM heavyweight championship, and the prestigious 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix.
Overeem made history by becoming the only fighter to simultaneously hold titles across all three organizations.
He finished his professional MMA career with a 47-19 record, including 42 stoppage victories, and competed against some of the biggest names in the sport across PRIDE, DREAM, Strikeforce, and the UFC.
His impressive list of victories includes Brock Lesnar, Junior dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum, and Andrei Arlovski. He also challenged Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight championship in 2016.
After his last kickboxing appearance with GLORY in October 2022, Overeem is now preparing to make his professional boxing debut in Dubai, where he currently resides.
Overeem says he isn’t entering boxing simply to add another experience to his résumé. He intends to make an immediate statement.
“I’ve fought the best in the world, and I’ve been a world champion in multiple disciplines. Now I’m starting a new chapter in boxing, and I’m not here to make up the numbers,” Overeem said.
He acknowledged Manuwa’s knockout power but made it clear he welcomes the challenge.
“I’ve built my career on taking the toughest challenges in combat sports. I grew up in the Netherlands, but Dubai is my home now, and on Christmas Eve I’m bringing the Demolition Man to Coca-Cola Arena.”
Overeem also hinted at a potential future opponent, stating that after defeating Manuwa, Rico Verhoeven is next on his hit list.
Jimi Manuwa Looks to Continue His Boxing Success
Standing across the ring will be another fighter known for his devastating knockout power.
British fighter Jimi Manuwa retired from professional MMA in 2019 with a 17-6 record, earning 15 victories by knockout or technical knockout.
Manuwa began his professional career in 2008 and quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous light heavyweights in the sport. He won his first 14 professional fights before making his way to the UFC.
One of his most memorable performances came in 2017 when he delivered a spectacular first-round knockout of Corey Anderson in the main event of UFC Fight Night London. His career also included notable victories over Ovince Saint Preux and future UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz.
At 46, Manuwa returned to competition in August 2026, making his professional boxing debut against former UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman on August 29 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
Manuwa scored a second-round TKO victory, improving his professional boxing record to 1-0.
Now he faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet in the boxing ring against a former world champion with decades of elite-level striking experience.
Manuwa says he specifically wanted a difficult opponent following his successful debut.
“I’ve watched Alistair since I was coming up, and I know exactly what he’s capable of. That’s why I wanted this fight. After my win in Orlando, I wasn’t looking for an easy opponent,” Manuwa said.
He added a confident prediction for their Christmas Eve showdown: “On Christmas Eve, one of us is going to sleep, and it’s not going to be me.”
MVP Brings Another Major Combat Sports Matchup to Dubai
Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian believes the addition of Overeem and Manuwa brings another compelling international matchup to an already stacked event.
The two fighters have a combined 40 MMA knockout victories, making their heavyweight boxing contest an intriguing addition to the Christmas Eve card.
With Jake Paul facing Cédric Doumbé in the main event, MVP continues its international expansion by bringing together established names from boxing, MMA, and kickboxing.
The event is being presented in partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism as part of a broader cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening Dubai’s position as a destination for major international sporting events.
Fight Details:
- Alistair Overeem vs. Jimi Manuwa
- Six-round professional heavyweight boxing bout
- Thursday, December 24, 2026
- Coca-Cola Arena
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
With Overeem making his professional boxing debut and Manuwa looking to build on his first boxing victory, this heavyweight showdown brings two proven knockout artists together for what could be an explosive Christmas Eve encounter.
