Sadibou Sy, a mixed martial artist with Senegalese roots, grew up in a large family with six siblings in Sweden. He initially played soccer before transitioning to martial arts when he was in his teens. Sy began training at Wasa Martial Arts Center, focusing on kickboxing and later competed in Thai boxing. From the age of 13 until February 2017, Sy only had between 20 and 40% vision.[1] He was then fitted with contact lenses to alleviate the chronic inflammation he suffered from. The lenses gave him about 80% vision and since then, he says his progress has been "huge".[2][3] Despite his vision problems, he started competing in martial arts at the age of 15.[4][5]
Sy has worked various jobs throughout his career, but now focuses on training at the Martial Arts Lab in Östermalm, where he also works as a personal trainer. Sy's goal is to minimize his work commitments and concentrate on his MMA career, aiming to secure better pay and sponsorships.[4]
Muay Thai career
On October 13, 2012, Sy faced Corentin Jallon at Supremacy League in Stockholm, Sweden, for the vacant WKN Oriental rules Cruiserweight title.[6][7][8] Sy won the fight by unanimous decision.[9]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Before transitioning to MMA, Sy won both the World Championship and World Championship (B) in Thai boxing in 2010. He also claimed the ISKA (International Sport Karate & Kickboxing Association) World Championship title in 2008 and 2010.[10] Sy began his MMA career in Stockholm-based organization IRFA (International Ring Fight Arena) and amassed a 2–1 record before joining Superior Challenge.[11] In his debut at SC 12, he defeated Englishman Carl Booth via first-round TKO.[12] After two fights with other organizations, Sy returned to Superior Challenge with a 6–2 record. At SC 14, he gained widespread attention for his viral head-kick KO against Welshman David Round. Sy continued his winning streak at SC 16, defeating Greek fighter Nikos Sokolis with another first-round TKO.
Professional Fighters League
2018 Season
Sadibou Sy, boasting a 6–2 record, joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with an ambitious goal of winning the top prize of one million USD. He debuted against UFC and Bellator veteran Bruno Santos at PFL 3, ultimately losing via unanimous decision. In his second fight of the 2018 season at PFL 7, Sy defeated Brazilian Caio Magalhães with a first-round head kick KO, securing his spot in the playoffs. During the playoffs at PFL 10, he faced Santos once again, resulting in a draw but advancing due to PFL tiebreaker rules, before being eliminated by German Abusupiyan Magomedov via unanimous decision.[13]
2019 Season
Starting the 2019 season at PFL 1, Sy began with a stunning 17-second liver kick KO victory over American David Michaud.[14] However, he lost his next fight to Glaico França at PFL 4 via TKO in the third round.[15] Despite the loss, Sy advanced to the playoffs at PFL 7 based on points.
He faced Ray Cooper III in the quarterfinals at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019, with the fight ending in a draw with Cooper advancing, due to PFL rules where the winner of the first round advances, which led to Sy's elimination from the 2019 playoffs.[16]
2021 Season
After the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID, Sadibou returned at PFL 2 on April 29, 2021, against Nikolay Aleksakhin, with the bout ending in a no contest after an accidental eye poke in the second round led to Aleksakhin being unable to continue.[17]
Sy, replacing João Zeferino, faced Magomed Magomedkerimov in a Semi-Final match-up at PFL 7 on August 13, 2021.[20] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[21]
2022 Season
Sy rematched Nikolay Aleksakhin on May 6, 2022, at PFL 3, winning the close bout via split decision.[22]
Sy faced Rory MacDonald on July 1, 2022, at PFL 6.[23] In an upset, Sy won the bout via unanimous decision.[24]
In the semi-finals at PFL 8, Sy faced Carlos Leal, winning the bout and advancing to the finals via unanimous decision.[25][26]
At the finals on November 25, 2022, at PFL 10, Sy won the bout and the $1 million dollar cumulative prize via unanimous decision.[27]
2023 Season
Sy started off the 2023 season against Jarrah Al-Silawi on April 14, 2023. [28] Sy won the bout via TKO after knocking out Al-Silawi with knee to the body followed up with punches.[29]
Sy faced Shane Mitchell on June 23, 2023, at PFL 6.[30] He won the fight via spinning wheel kick knockout in the third round.[31]
In the semi-finals, Sy faced Carlos Leal at PFL 9 on August 23, 2023.[32] At weigh-ins, Carlos Leal weighed in at 172 pounds, 1 pound over the Welterweight limit. Leal was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to his opponent Sy, and started the bout with a one point subtraction.[33] Sy won the fight via split decision to advance to the finals.[34]
In the final, Sy faced Magomed Magomedkerimov on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10.[35] He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the third round.[36]
2024 Season
Moving up to Light Heavyweight, Sy started the 2024 season with a bout against Josh Silveira on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2.[37] He lost the fight by technical knockout as a result of a finger injury.[38]
Sy was expect to face Tom Breese on June 21, 2024, at PFL 5. However, Breese withdrew at the last minute and was replaced by Andrew Sanchez.[39] Sy won the fight via TKO in the third round.[40]
