5 Defining Moments: Cedric Doumbe

Professional Fighters League star Cedric Doumbe fulfilled the expectations of his much-hyped arrival at PFL Europe 3. It took him a mere nine seconds to dispatch Jordan Zebo and announce his arrival on the PFL stage. However, beneath the surface of the flamboyant persona and flair he displays inside the cage, his journey has been shaped by adversity from the humble beginnings in the sun-kissed plains of Cameroon to the active streets of Paris.

Doumbe encountered skepticism from his widowed mother when he pursued combat sports. But he disregarded the dissenting voices, and with unwavering ambition, emerged as an unrivaled force in kickboxing, toppling giants and clinching several titles. His transition to MMA in 2021 serves as a resolute statement to conquer fresh horizons. “The Best” is scheduled to make his sophomore appearance against the fellow undefeated Baissangour Chamsoudinov on March 7 at PFL Europe 1: 2024 Regular Season. As he stands on the precipice of the next challenge, we take a look at the five defining moments that serve as a testament to each accolade, each conquest earned through sweat and sacrifice.

Forging the Foundation

Doumbe discovered kickboxing in his late teens and subsequently dropped out of university to pursue a career in the sport. Between 2015 and 2016, he traveled to Amsterdam every month, immersing himself in the professional coaching experience of Mejiro Gym. He would refine his style with the influence of training experience gathered at the facility, blending the finesse of full-contact combat with low kicks patented under the gym’s legacy. Under the tutelage of Roel Mannaart, Doumbe honed his craft and his journey bore a rich harvest in the A1 Grand Prix where he prevailed over the likes of Djibril Ehouo and Vedat Hoduk. In the process, he collected several A1 WGP titles, WAKO Pro K1 world middleweight title among several other accolades.

First taste at Glory Gold

The next chapter of his journey unfolded on the grand stage of the premier kickboxing organization, Glory. In his first fight in 2015 under the Glory banner, he took on Yoann Kongolo in a short-notice fight. Doumbe lost the fight by unanimous decision, yet, remained undeterred in his pursuit of ascending ranks and making waves within the organization. In his next fight, he locked horns with Murthel Groenhart and emerged triumphant via unanimous decision. The maiden chance to bask in the glory of championship victory came against the formidable Nieky Holzken in Dec. 2016. Doumbe was an underdog going into the fight against Holzken for the Glory welterweight title. “The Best” summoned the depths of his resolve, seizing victory via split decision and carved his name in the annals of the organization’s history by becoming the first French champion.

Second Reign in Glory

Following two successful defense of his welterweight throne, defeat loomed at Glory 44 against Murthel Groenhart and he dropped the title via split decision. Undaunted, he racked up a 4-1 run which paved the path to a second strike at gold against Harut Grigorian at Glory 64. Doumbe won the fight via TKO in the second round and reaffirmed his status as a champion of the division.

Next Stop: MMA

Doumbe bid adieu to kickboxing at an Empire Fight event in France on Oct. 3, 2021, and announced his switch to MMA. His inaugural foray into MMA came under the banner of Superkombat Fighting Championship. He made his promotional debut a month later against Arbi Emiev and won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. He was scheduled to face Patrick Spirk next at MMA Grand Prix on July. 9, 2022. However, the matchup underwent several changes after Spirk and the replacement opponent Idriss M'Roivili both pulled out. He would eventually fight Phruethukorn Chaichongcharden and won the fight by TKO (doctor stoppage) in the second round.

PFL: Detour Becomes Destination

Doumbe’s journey to the UFC faced an unexpected hurdle when his debut fight against Darian Weeks at the inaugural UFC Paris event was canceled by the French MMA Federation (FMMAF). They could not sanction the bout under a rule stipulation that fighters with fewer than 10 professional bouts must not have more than a four-fight differential between them. Yet, a more pressing concern later came to light after an MRI scan that revealed traces of blood in his brain. While he was released from the UFC shortly afterward, he fought two more times at MMA Grand Prix before signing with the PFL in May 2023.