Two fighters with undefeated records four fights into their MMA careers squared off at PFL Paris as former GLORY Kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe took on fellow Frenchman Jordan Zebo.
Doumbe left kickboxing in 2021 after defeating his bitter rival Murthel Groenhart and vacating his GLORY welterweight championship to pursue mixed martial arts. After four TKO victories on the French scene, and a botched signing between him and the UFC in 2021, Doumbe entered the PFL ranks as a potential welterweight contender for the 2024 season. However the world-class kickboxer would only be a small favorite on the betting lines as he faced off against Jordan Zebo, one of the bright prospects coming out of French Promotion ARES FC.
Doumbe came out orthodox against a southpaw Zebo, who had his opening kick caught by Cedric. Doumbe countered with three strikes: a leg kick, a left hook which slumped Zebo, and a right hand while he was on the way down which was purely academic. Zebo was out cold five seconds into the fight and the referee stepped in as Doumbe went for follow up ground strikes. A crowd which included the entire Paris St. Germain soccer team, there just to see Doumbe, went into a frenzy.
Already a star in kickboxing, this fight represented a huge stepping stone on Doumbe’s path to stardom in MMA. In his post-fight interview he said he will fight anyone, declaring, “I am the best, so they have to call me out.” When asked if he was ready for the global PFL tournament, he showed his ever-present confidence, asking, “Are they ready for me?”
We will see in 2024.
Official Result: Cedric Doumbe def. Jordan Zebo by KO (left hook) Round 1, 0:09
