The new Bellator Champions Series kicks off for the first time this month in Paris, and local hero Cedric Doumbu is hoping to make an international appeal.
Doumbu is one of French MMA's biggest stars and arguably the crown jewel of the country's exports outside of the UFC. After suffering his first MMA loss in controversial circumstances, he returns to Accor Arena to face American Jahlil Willis in his comeback fight.
The kickboxing icon was drawn into Bellator's “America vs. France” feud, with Willis replacing Derek Anderson on late notice. And yesterday, the two got heated during their first virtual face-off with the media.
Cedric Doumbe returns to cage after strange finish at PFL Paris
The French mixed martial arts star was left disappointed after suffering a bizarre TKO loss to Baisangor “Baki” Chamsuddinov in his last match at the Accor Arena. Doumbe spotted a small piece of glass in his leg at the start of the third round and called for a stoppage in the fight.
However, he was judged to have requested the match to be stopped and was deemed to have lost the match. 'Baki' has a one-fight contract with the PFL and is currently considering his options, meaning an immediate rematch will not be possible.
Instead, Doumbe will take his frustrations out on former LFA champion Willis. Willis is looking to get back to winning ways under the Bellator banner. With a record of 16-5 in 21 fights, the American will be Doumbe's most experienced opponent in the cage thus far in his career.
Cedric Doumbu vows to hospitalize Jaleel Willis with chilling warning
In a call with the media yesterday, Doumbe declared that he was “born to defeat Jaleel.” Willis also pointed out that he should enjoy some sightseeing in France before the game, as he will be admitted to a local hospital after the game.
“That's all I can do,” he explained. “I'm a fighter, I was born to fight, I was born to knock people out. I was born to knock out Jaleel, so I'm going to do that.
“France is waiting for me, the whole French audience, the French people, even the American people are waiting for me to beat him. We will close it and send it back to the United States.”
When Willis pointed out that he was excited to see Paris' hotspots like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, Doombe replied, he. “
Jahlil Willis explains why the Cedric Doumbe fight means so much
Willis has not been on a roll since signing with Bellator during the pandemic, posting a 3-3 record thanks to his LFA title win. But he knows that a win against a superstar in his hometown could change his fortunes and make him a big deal in the rookie promotion.
“It means a lot to me,” Willis said of the opportunity to fight a big name like Doumbe. “How many times can you go into someone's backyard and dominate or do something terrible and get praised for it and not get locked up?
“I was born to fight. This is totally different than fighting in the neighborhood going overseas, so I embrace that shit. I go to town, wake up in the morning, hustle, do what I have to do. They were born to do things and go out and bring bread back to their families.
“I need to maintain this nice house that I've got, and I want to break out the moms. So the other thing that's important is that my resume speaks for itself. That's why they called me, because I'm a fighter who goes out there and takes chances.
“I go in here to take a terrible chance and hope and pray that my brother lands a right or a left and hits a sleeper. Broken jaw, broken nose, all that.” Because I've experienced it, I'm telling you, it's 100 percent possible.
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