He left the French public with a splinter in his foot. A small piece of wood measuring just a few millimeters which prevented him from continuing his fight against Baysangur “Baki” Chamsoudinov on March 7, and which caused his first defeat in MMA. However, he is already back. On May 17, Cédric Doumbè will meet his audience at the Accor Arena (12th arrondissement) and will face the American Derek Anderson during a Bellator gala, according to our information.
His fans will no doubt be disappointed. Some were hoping to see a rematch with Baki after that shortened third-round fight headed into a stifling final three minutes. In the end, this is not the case. After his victory, the resident of the MMA Factory had set his conditions for a possible rematch. “If there is a re-match, the PFL (editor’s note: the organizing league) would have to come out with a big, big, big check, but a big check guys,” he said. If there is a match, we will need money, [autoriser] elbows and maybe a [combat en] five rounds. » The sum of 500,000 euros “minimum” had been mentioned.
17 wins and 4 losses for Anderson
The conditions are probably not yet met. To get back into the cage quickly, and relaunch his career after this serious setback, Cédric Doumbè will therefore participate in the “Bellator Champions Series” in Paris, on Friday May 17. The PFL, with which the Frenchman renewed his contract for several years, having bought Bellator, fighters can move from one organization to another without difficulty.
VIDEO. MMA: Was Tony Parker the cause of Cédric Doumbè’s injury against Baki?
“The Best”’s opponent is far from a beginner. At 34 years old, Derek Anderson has 21 fights for 17 victories. In Bellator since 2013, the man nicknamed “Barbaric” has faced stars of the organization like Patricky Pitbull, Brent Primus or Michael Venom Page, who recently made his victorious debut in the UFC. The San Diego native is therefore very dangerous, he has won as much by knockout as by submission. His last official fight, however, dates back to May 2021, and it is difficult to know in what form he will arrive in Paris.
This duel is planned as a co-main fight. The main event will pit bantamweight champion Patchy Mix against Russian Magomed Magomedov. Five other French people are already planned on the card. Grégory Babene will challenge the Dutchman Costello Van Steenis for a place as No. 1 contender for the middleweight title. Yves Landu will face the Brazilian Jona Bilharinho, while Thibault Gouti will face the American Archie Colgan. Mansour Barnaoui will also be in the cage at the Accor Arena, facing the Japanese Yusuke Yachi, while Asael Adjoudj will challenge the Brazilian Bruno Fontes.