Two months passed and everything changed. On March 7, during the second PFL event in Paris, Cédric Doumbé filled an Accor Arena with 20,000 fans in just 20 minutes to see him face Baysangur “Baki” Chamsoudinov after extensive media coverage for the sport. This Friday, May 17, the Franco-Cameroonian fighter enters the Bercy cage again, this time at Bellator – an organization bought by the PFL – but the fans’ enthusiasm seems to have taken a turn for the worse. Five questions and answers to find out why you shouldn’t miss the return of Cédric Doumbé.
Symbol of the hype around Cédric Doumbé at half mast since his last fight, the Accor Arena struggled to fill up, leaving seats at the most affordable price (€50) until the last minute. The time of media frenzy around the Franco-Cameroonian seems a long way off. The fault lay in a splinter stuck in his toe, precipitating the end of the clash against Baki and leading to a host of criticisms against the showman, starting with the boos from the fans present on March 7.
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Criticisms of Baki next. “If I had had a splinter, no one would have known,” Baysangur Chamsoudinov assured at a press conference. But also attacks from PFL programmer Dan Hardy, who nevertheless broods over the Frenchman like a goose that lays golden eggs. “The room was full, everyone was there to watch this fight, it was a duel with high stakes… I would have done anything to stay in the cage. Anything ! “, he lamented.
Faced with this, Cédric Doumbé appeared less on the networks. “We preferred to remain discreet,” admits his manager David Foucher for Le Figaro. The conclusion of the previous fight does not encourage troublemaking. Don’t worry, after his victory Cédric will come back as he knows how. » On the other hand, less trashtalk means less waiting around the fight. And if it is less anticipated by fans, the fight only benefits from smaller-scale promotion.
If Cédric Doumbé fights this Friday, only two months and ten days after his defeat against Baki, it is because he is ready to begin his redemption with the French public. “He wants to make an impression. We only had a month of preparation, which is not optimal but Cédric will be ready, promises David Foucher. We have a sport where enthusiasm and legitimacy vary depending on the results. By winning his fight on Friday, the fans will get back on the train (an expression used by Doumbé to evoke the enthusiasm of the fans). »
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A victory could also allow Cédric Doumbé to bring legitimacy to his name in the world of MMA. Despite his status as a kickboxing superstar, the Frenchman only fought six times in a cage. A factor that limits its aura among fighters, who can claim PFL and Bellator world titles. “This guy dares to say my name,” joked X, the undefeated fighter from Dagestan, star of the PFL. It’s not up to the 19th world welterweight to wait for it. » Magomed Umalatov even went so far as to disguise Cédric Doumbé with a wig and a clown nose to demean the Frenchman.
Facing Cédric Doumbé stands a fighter who has been familiar with MMA since he was 20, turning pro in 2014 at the age of 22. The American Jaleel Willis is an interesting fighter, very comfortable with his fist and skilled in the wrestling phases, even if he has little demonstrated it during his previous fights. An experienced and complete fighter, so much so that he is considered a favorite by the Americans. “Jaleel Willis will knock out Cédric Doumbé because the latter lacks expertise in MMA,” bet Chael Sonnen, former UFC fighter now a commentator for Bellator at the organization’s microphone. Jaleel is a veteran compared to him, that’s why the fight on 17 is going to be so easy for him. »
Jaleel Willis’ experience is fully recognized by Cédric Doumbé’s clan, who admit to expecting the American to try to target the Frenchman’s weak points. “We think Cédric is better but we must not underestimate Willis,” says the fighter’s manager. With Cédric’s opponents, it’s always the same story. Everyone wants to take him to the ground because everyone knows the strength of his fists. »
However, although interesting, the bookmakers unanimously give the status of favorite to Cédric Doumbé. For good reason, his opponent is a specialist in standing fights, a sector where the Franco-Cameroonian, seven-time holder of the world champion belt in kickboxing from the most prestigious organization in the world: Glory, excels. The current form is also in favor of Doumbé. Jaleel Willis has three defeats in his last four fights, including two by submission.
If the American demonstrated that he was capable of imposing physical volume in melee, Cédric Doumbé proved against Baki – a former ground judoka specialist – that he knew how to effectively defend these phases. “His fight surprised me,” Baki even conceded on March 7 at a press conference. “I would love to see Cedric submit Willis on Friday. As usual, he is not going to rush. It all depends on the opponent. If he fights, the openings will come less quickly. I think we’ll see the knockout in the second round,” bets David Foucher.
Cédric Doumbé warned Jaleel Willis: assuming his status requires a knockout on Friday. “He can visit Paris before the fight,” provoked Doumbé during the press briefing. After the fight, he will visit the Paris hospital. » Beating Jaleel Willis in style would even be part of a more ambitious plan that the Douala native explained in detail for Bellator. After Willis, will come the turn of Anthony Pettis, a former UFC fighter now under contract with the PFL, who will be present in Bercy to see his future opponent in action. “We’re going step by step. First Willis then Anthony Pettis will get what he deserves,” quips David Foucher.
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“The plan is simple. Everything went wrong in France, which we did, even if everything didn’t go as planned. Then having an international opponent, another with a track record to finally get to the belt,” assumes David Foucher. After Pettis, it would therefore be the turn of Jason Jackson, Bellator welterweight champion, for the belt. “I will defend my belt against Magomed Umalatov and I will knock him out,” says Cédric Doumbé at the Bellator microphone. However, this ambitious plan is only in case of imperative victory and if possible brilliantly, this Friday, in front of an audience which is only waiting for the start of its redemption.
