GLORY Kickboxing champion Cédric Doumbé made a successful debut for the PFL, knocking out Jordan Zébo in nine seconds, and hinted the UFC may regret not signing him as he plans big fights in the future and believes PFL is the way forward.
Cédric Doumbé, an accomplished GLORY Kickboxing champion, recently showcased his fighting prowess in his PFL debut. The event’s highlight, Doumbé delivered a nine-second knockout blow to Jordan Zébo in their Parisian bout’s main event. This electrifying performance comes after the UFC failed to secure Doumbé’s services for their own Paris show in September of 2022, due to Doumbé being unable to clear the requisite competition conditions.
Doumbé’s standout performance led to speculation about whether the UFC might be regretting their missed opportunity. When asked during an interview on The MMA Hour if he believed the UFC had any second thoughts about him joining the PFL, Doumbé expressed his indifference. He conveyed his satisfaction with his current position, indicating his belief in PFL’s future and the significant changes the outfit is making in the field. Doumbé added that he viewed the UFC’s loss as the PFL’s gain, and felt confident that the UFC would regret not signing him.
The Paris event proved to be a significant moment for Doumbé, as he became the undisputed star of the show. This event is where he predicted his opponent’s downfall, locked in the terse victory, and delivered a passionate post-fight speech against a former coach. With MMA now legalized in Paris and receiving elevated attention, Doumbé felt that his popularity has soared to unprecedented levels. Doumbé also outlined his future plans, stating his intention to participate in a 2024 PFL tournament with a lucrative seven-figure prize at stake. He added his desire to compete against leading names in upcoming bouts, firmly believing in his ability to triumph against big-ticket fighters.