The highly anticipated boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul on December 19, 2025, at Miami's Kaseya Center delivered its promised spectacle. However, the drama inside the ring was nearly overshadowed by a chaotic backstage brawl involving a former UFC champion and a popular YouTuber, creating a viral storm on social media.
Joshua's Dominant Victory Sets the Stage
In the main event, former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua proved his class with a commanding performance. He secured a dominant sixth-round knockout victory over social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul. While this result settled the sporting debate for the night, the real chaos was just beginning behind the scenes.
The Viral Backstage Confrontation
Following the main event, a heated physical altercation broke out backstage. The incident involved 46-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski and controversial 22-year-old YouTuber Jack Doherty, who boasts over 15 million subscribers.
The brawl reportedly started when someone from Doherty's entourage bumped into Arlovski. It remains unclear if the contact was accidental, but Arlovski's response was immediate and aggressive. Eyewitness footage shows the veteran fighter launching a kick at Doherty's back, instantly escalating the situation.
Doherty, known for provocative online pranks, was accompanied by friends and a bodyguard. As the chaos unfolded, his associates jumped in, throwing punches at Arlovski. The viral clips, which spread rapidly on platforms like X and Reddit, showcased a stark contrast: Arlovski's decades of elite combat experience against the YouTuber's entourage.
Arlovski Handles Multiple Attackers
Despite being outnumbered, Andrei Arlovski demonstrated why professional fighters operate on a different level. Facing four people, he calmly defended himself, floored one opponent, and continued to advance. Observers noted he even targeted a security guard he perceived as the main threat. Throughout the melee, Jack Doherty largely stayed behind his bodyguard, avoiding direct combat.
Security personnel eventually intervened to break up the fight, preventing more serious injuries. No arrests were made, and no official statements have been released by either Arlovski or Doherty. The incident added a layer of unexpected controversy to an already polarizing fight night, sparking intense discussions in MMA and boxing communities about real fighting instincts versus online bravado.
What's Next for "The Pitbull"?
This backstage skirmish is just a sideshow for Andrei Arlovski, who is preparing for a significant career challenge. The veteran is set to step into the bare-knuckle boxing ring. He will challenge Ben Rothwell for the BKFC heavyweight title at KnuckleMania VI on February 7, 2026, in Philadelphia.
This bout is a trilogy fight, as Arlovski has previously defeated Rothwell twice in MMA competition. The upcoming clash in the raw, bare-knuckle format promises to deliver its own brand of fireworks, far removed from the backstage chaos in Miami.
