2022 PFL Welterweight Champion Sadibou Sy is “the most excited guy on the roster” about the return of the 185-pound division this year.
Sy (17-8-2) has competed as low as 170 pounds, and as of last year was fighting at Light Heavyweight. The former PFL World Champion now has an ideal weight class to fit his long 6’3 frame. One of the best strikers in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, Sy has his sights set on gold once again. Sy spoke with Cageside Press this past week, discussing a variety of topics from Cryotherapy to a new wave of talent coming over from Bellator in the tournament.
Sadibou Sy entered the PFL in 2018 as a middleweight before moving down a division to win a world title at Welterweight. Now returning to the division he originally called home, he explained that he had to stop fighting at 170 pounds because it was so hard to make the weight. Sy added that he never would have fought at welterweight if the promotion had not removed the 185lb division. He also explained that it was difficult for him to put on the extra weight to make 205, saying that middleweight is a “happy medium for me.”
Sy took a vacation in December of last year, heading to Bioexcellarator, an anti-aging and cryotherapy clinic in Columbia. Sadibou said of the experience that “I don’t enjoy cold whatsoever, but I will do it because it helps… My body feels so much better, it is well needed, having the opportunity to fly out there and get the body right and now come back even better. It’s a recipe for disaster for the rest of the guys.”
Also discussed was the new crop of talent coming over for the tournament from Bellator. Some of these competitors include Dalton Rosta, Fabien Edwards, and Aaron Jeffery. Sy told us that “at this level, everybody is going to be good, we know that already. So the talent is going to be there, everyone is going to want it. I believe that I’m still getting better and improving… I don’t know if you want to call me a veteran but I’m still getting better and I believe that this is a perfect time for me to fight at a weight class where I think I am going to perform the best.”
The former world champion told said that he doesn’t get too excited about specific matchups however, and wants to stay “even-keeled” about the potential opponents that he may face.
Training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada Sadibou Sy has some of the best teammates in the world including former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who just competed in a title rematch on PPV. Strickland came up short and public frustration between one of his coaches spilled over into the media.
Asked about his opinion on Strickland’s performance and how things were at the gym, Sadibou Sy answered with class. “Sean is a training partner and a great fighter, ya he went out there and came up short, unfortunately, that happens,” Sy stated. “He can learn from this and grow because he is right there. So in my opinion he has what it takes to get the belt back.” In regards to the comments made by Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick regarding Strickland’s performance, Sy told us that “I believe that everything has been addressed, that he felt like he was trying to motivate Sean. It wasn’t the best way or choice of words. But he’s good, they are good, the relationship is good and my relationship with both of them is amazing.”
You can watch Sadibou Sy and the rest of the 2025 PFL Middleweight World tournament this April on ESPN+ from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
