Highlights: MMA: Doumbè loses to Baki at the end of a mixed evening for the PFL. Several French fighters fought during the evening, but no confrontation really succeeded in convincing the public at the Accor Arena. Yazid Chouchane, although well launched in his fight, lost by KO against the Spaniard Ignacio Capella. Ibrahima Mané won against the Dutchman Chequina Noso Pedro by split decision. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) took over the famous Parisian hall for the first time.

The Franco-Cameroonian Cédric Doumbè fell against his compatriot Baysangur “Baki” Chamsoudinov following the referee's stoppage during the PFL Europe organized at the Accor Arena in Paris, Thursday March 7.…

MMA: Doumbè loses to Baki at the end of a mixed evening for the PFL

This controversial decision during the most anticipated fight of the evening concluded an unconvincing event from the American MMA organization.

The Franco-Cameroonian Cédric Doumbè faces the Frenchman Baysangur Chamsoudinov during the PFL Europe at the Accor Arena, March 7, 2024. © AFP / FRANCK FIFE

By: Valentin Berg Follow

From our special correspondent at the Accor Arena,

The first evening of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at the Accor Arena in Paris proved to be quite tricky.

It must be said that the challenge was significant for the second American mixed martial arts organization, the main competitor of the UFC, which took over the famous Parisian hall for the first time and hoped to imitate the resounding success of its rival during its

second evening organized on French soil last September

To achieve this, the PFL saw the big picture by organizing its

main event

, the highlight of the evening,

between two French fighters of choice: the Franco-Cameroonian Cédric Doumbè, kickboxing legend who continues to rise in the world of MMA, and Baysangur Chamsoudinov known as “Baki”, tricolor nugget of the discipline at only 22 years old.

Proof of the enormous anticipation that this fight crystallized, Doumbè became the most followed French MMA fighter on social networks just ahead of Ciryl Gane, and even before entering the cage.

The PFL made no secret of it: its success on March 7 at the Accor Arena depended almost exclusively on this final shock.

And the spectators in the room even fewer, present in numbers to shout “

You’re dead!”

» from the stands, the gimmick popularized by Cédric Doumbè during his previous fight.

The PFL speakers did not hesitate to rekindle an impatient audience during the evening, encouraging them to use the expression to raise the temperature.

The Doumbè-Baki fight stopped by the referee

Several French fighters fought during the evening, but no confrontation really succeeded in convincing the public at the Accor Arena.

Yazid Chouchane, although well launched in his fight, lost by KO against the Spaniard Ignacio Capella while Ibrahima Mané won against the Dutchman Chequina Noso Pedro by split decision.

I usually offer more than that, I'm sorry for my performance tonight."
I will make up for it next time, you will see

,” admitted the Frenchman after his victory.

The Franco-Russian Abdoul Abdouraguimov also emerged victorious from his fight against the Englishman Jack Grant, indestructible and who resisted several submission attempts.

After his victory, Abdouraguimov encouraged the audience to shout “

Cédric, you’re dead!”

» to balance the debates, new proof that all eyes were on the native of Douala, known for his mastery of

trashtalking

and his often striking entries into the cage, and his duel with Baki.

But of all the possible conclusions to the most anticipated Franco-French fight in MMA history, no one could have imagined such a disappointing ending between the two fighters.

While Baki was impervious to pressure and very impressive during a first round largely in his favor, Doumbè then won the second round by hitting the mark thanks to his science of

striking

Everything had to be decided during the last round, which promised crazy intensity and a grand finale.

MARC GODDARD STOPS THE FIGHT!

👀@BaysangurHanma is declared the winner by TKO!

😳#PFLParis |

LIVE NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/cfT4vTiopH

— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) March 7, 2024

But very quickly, Doumbè reported discomfort in his foot, even speaking to his opponent in the middle of the fight to ask for a break in order to remove a splinter embedded in his toe.

A request refused by the referee who quickly ended the fight, considering the Franco-Cameroonian incapable of continuing the confrontation.

Left hungry and in total incomprehension, the spectators were immediately virulent towards the officials present in the cage.

“

I've seen decisions like this before in MMA, and I hoped it would never happen to me.
I was jealous of the French people who participated in UFC Paris and fighting here in Bercy was a dream, so obviously I am very disappointed

,” Doumbé regretted at a press conference, referring to a possible revenge in the future.

“

Unforeseen events are part of the fight, you have to be able to fight in any condition

,” Baki said shortly after.

One thing is certain: the PFL evening had difficulty convincing and such a conclusion is quite a thorn in the side for the American organization, which will now have to redouble its efforts to succeed in competing with the UFC.

MMA: Doumbè loses to Baki at the end of a mixed evening for the PFL

MMA: Doumbè loses to Baki at the end of a mixed evening for the PFL

The Doumbè-Baki fight stopped by the referee

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