In kickboxing, he is a former two-time Glory Welterweight Champion. Doumbé was ranked as the #1 welterweight in the world for several years by Combat Press and other publications.[3][4] In 2016 he was named the Fighter of the Year by Combat Press and Liver Kick.[5][6]
Background
Born in Douala, Cameroon, Doumbé moved to France with his family at the age of nine.[7] He and his sister were raised by their widowed mother as their father died in a car accident around the time Cédric was born.[7] In his late teens, Cédric discovered full contact kickboxing and started training.[7] He studied psychology, but dropped out of the university to pursue a career in kickboxing.[7]
Kickboxing career
Early career
Between 2015 and 2016, Cedric Doumbe went to Amsterdam every month to train at Mejiro Gym where he completed his style originally coming from full-contact with strong lowkicks that Mejiro Gym was famous for with fighters such as Rob Kaman. During his time at Mejiro Gym, Cedric trained with Roel Mannaart. He also had several fights, including in Glory, with Mejiro Gym sensei Andre Mannaart in his corner.[1]
In 2015 Doumbe participated in the A1 World Grand Prix, at 75 kg. In the semi-finals he fought Djibril Ehouo, and won by a first-round KO.[8] In the finals, he faced Vedat Hoduk. He won a unanimous decision, after an extra round.[9]
In 2016, he once participated in the A1 WGP tournament, at 75 kg. In the semi-finals he won a unanimous decision against Ben Hodge. In the finals, he fought a rematch against Djibril Ehouo. He once again won by knockout.[10][11]
During the Monte Carlo Fighting Masters Series, he fought Ljubo Jalovi for the WAKO Pro K1 World Middleweight title.[12] Doumbe won the fight by a unanimous decision.[13][14]
Doumbe once again entered the A1 WGP Final Tournament. In the semi-finals he won a unanimous decision against Said Zahdi. In the finals, he fought a rematch against Vedat Hoduk. This time the fight didn't go to decision, as Doumbe won the fight by a third-round knockout.[15]
Glory
Doumbé had his first fight with Glory in 2015, during Glory 22: Lille, when he was scheduled to fight Yoann Kongolo as a short notice replacement for Karim Ghajji.[16] Kongolo won a unanimous decision.[17] Doumbé's second fight with Glory was more successful, as he achieved a unanimous decision win over Murthel Groenhart.[18]
In December 2016, he faced Nieky Holzken for the Glory Welterweight title.[19] Doumbe went into the fight as an underdog.[20] He won the fight by a split decision, and became the first French champion in Glory history.[21]
Doumbé made the first successful defense of his Glory welterweight title at Glory 39 on March 25, 2017 in Brussels, Belgium. He defeated Yoann Kongolo by unanimous decision.[22][23]
He made his second title defense against Nieky Holzken during Glory 42: Paris.[24][25] Doumbé entered the fight as a favorite to defend the title and successfully defended the title by a split decision.[26][27]
This run earned him a chance to fight for the Welterweight title, held at the time by Harut Grigorian. Doumbé won the fight by TKO, after knocking Grigorian down three times in the second round.[35]
His first title defense of the second reign was a rematch against Alim Nabiev. Doumbé won the fight by a right cross knockout in the second round.[36]
Doumbé was scheduled to fight Murthel Groenhart for the third time during Glory 70: Lyon.[37] Doumbé was forced to withdraw from the fight, as he suffered an elbow injury.[38] The trilogy was rescheduled for Glory 76,[39] but the event was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[40] The fight has been scheduled for a third time, for the Glory 76 event on November 7, 2020.[41] The fight fell through once more, as main event fighter Badr Hari contracted COVID-19[42] and due to a partial lockdown imposed by the Dutch government.[43] The fight was rescheduled for December 19.[44] Groenhart was forced to withdraw from the fight, due to an injury,[45] and was replaced by Karim Ghajji.[46] He won the fight by a third round TKO.[47]
The trilogy bout with Murthel Groenhart was rescheduled for Glory 77.[48] He won the fight by a second-round knockout, stopping Groenhart by an overhand right.[49]
Doumbé announced his retirement from kickboxing at an Empire Fight event in France on October 3, 2021, and announced his switch to MMA.[50] Glory officially declared the welterweight title vacant on November 16, 2021.[51]
Mixed martial arts career
Superkombat Fighting Championship
In October 2021, Eduard Irimia announced that Superkombat Fighting Championship signed Doumbé to a contract. He would make his promotional debut at Superkombat Universe on November 1, 2021, against Arbi Emiev in the main event.[52] Doumbé won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[53]
Doumbé was expected to face Patrick Spirk at MMAGP on July 9, 2022.[54] Spirk withdrew for undisclosed reasons on July 5 and was replaced by Idriss M'roivili.[55] M'roivili himself withdrew from the bout on July 7, after testing positive for COVID-19, and was replaced by Chai Title.[56] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[57]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Doumbé was scheduled to face Darian Weeks at UFC Fight Night 209 on September 3, 2022.[58] However the fight was cancelled after the French MMA Federation (FMMAF) would not sanction the bout per the commission's rules that fighters with less than ten professional bouts must not have more than a four fight differential between them.[59][60] Later in an interview with Ariel Helwani, Doumbé revealed that the MRI scan of his head indicated blood in his brain, which was the other primary reason why the bout was called off.[61] Subsequently, he was released from his UFC contract also.[61]
MMA Grand Prix
Doumbé returned to the French regionals, facing Florent Burillon on December 17, 2022 at MMA GP Bordeaux, knocking out his opponent at the end of the first round.[62]
Doumbé faced Paweł Klimas on March 4, 2023 at MMA GP: Paris, winning the bout via TKO stoppage in the second round.[63]
Professional Fighters League
On May 10, 2023, it was announced that Doumbé had signed a two-year contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), after entertaining offers from several major organizations including the UFC.[64][65][61]
Doumbé was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Jarrah Al-Silawi on June 23, 2023 at PFL 6.[66] However, Cedric had to pull out of the bout due to a wrist injury and was replaced by Zach Juusola.[67]
Doumbé eventually made his PFL debut in the main event against Jordan Zébo at PFL Europe 3 on September 30, 2023.[68] He won the fight by knockout just nine seconds into the first round.[69]
Doumbé next faced fellow undefeated fighter Baissangour "Baki" Chamsoudinov on March 7, 2024 at PFL Europe 1 (2024).[70] The bout ended in controversial fashion in the third round after Doumbé had a piece of glass embedded in his left foot's big toe. Rather than assess the situation, referee Marc Goddard immediately called the bout, resulting in a TKO due to injury loss for Doumbé.[71]
Bellator MMA
Doumbé was scheduled to face Derek Anderson at Bellator Champions Series 2 on May 17, 2024.[72] However, Anderson was involved in a hit-and-run accident that severely injured his left foot and withdrew from the bout.[73] He was replaced by former LFA Welterweight Champion Jaleel Willis.[74] Doumbé won the fight via TKO in the first round.[75]
