Former UFC star Marc Diakiese had just snapped a two-fight losing skid and appeared to be heading towards a new deal when it was announced he was leaving the promotion.
The hard-hitting ‘bone crusher’ confirmed earlier this summer that he was instead joining up with PFL, where he will debut this year before joining next year’s global season. His first outing will take place on the Bellator Champions Series, where he faces Tim Wilde on September 14 at the OVO Arena Wembley.
Diakiese and Wilde are both veterans of the British scene, and are expected to serve up a thrilling encounter. And for the former UFC star, he will be looking to hone his skills and stay active before turning his focus to the lightweight field for next season.
Marc Diakiese to face Tim Wilde at Bellator Champions Series: London
The inaugural London event under the new PFL-owned Bellator Champions Series will take place on September 14 when the promotion arrives at the OVO Arena Wembley. The show is headlined by Johnny Eblen’s middleweight title rematch with Fabian Edwards.
Also featured are the likes of Leah McCourt and Luke Trainer, with Marc Diakiese and Tim Wilde expected to be one of the more exciting fights on the card. “I used to watch Tim because he’s been about for a while,” Diakiese told Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat.
“I’m aware of who he is, his style is tricky, I’ve watched him numerous times and I enjoy his fights so I think the fans are in for a treat. I know how I’m going to perform and he knows it, it’s Bellator in London and it’s going to be a great fight.
“London is always great to fight, I’ll be allowed to throw elbows, I was wondering for this fight if I’m allowed so I guess I am. I need to get used to [life without them under PFL rules next year].”
Marc Diakiese details the process of swapping UFC for PFL
It was something of a surprise announcement at PFL Europe’s Newcastle show when Diakiese was presented to fans after signing with the promotion. He had just won against Kaue Fernandes, and seemed to be heading towards further bouts under the UFC banner.
However, he opted to pursue the PFL route, and after ideally two fights this year will move on to the lightweight tournament next season. But it wasn’t the overnight process that fans got to see, with the former BAMMA champion noting it was a long period of uncertainty.
“It was a long process,” he noted. “We were coming to the end of my deal and I wasn’t sure if I was getting a new one or I wasn’t. So they came to me and were like ‘yeah, you’ll get a new deal and that’s what I was waiting for.
“There was a lot going on that I’d prefer not to talk about but it was a long process and then PFL came at the time and I was happy to join here… What I wanted was to just be active like that and that’s what fans want to see.
“They want to watch you if you’re always there with the performances and that’s what I need. At the end of the day it’s my job, I love to fight and I’m so happy taking all of these fights.”
Marc Diakiese excited to try out the PFL season format in 2025
One key difference for Diakiese going forward will be the regularity of fights over the following few years. He will enter next year’s global season, where there are two regular season bouts, followed by a playoff and a championship fight, all between the months of April and November.
It means a packed schedule for whoever wins, but he is excited by the prospect after a stop-start run in the UFC over the past few years. “If you look at my career, most of the guys I have fought it’s mostly been last minute,” he added.
“I had a fight with Jai Herbert and then that gets cancelled, six weeks’ notice I’m fighting Rafael Fiziev. I didn’t even have time to look at him, I just had to go out there and fight but I needed time to prepare for him properly.
“I’d been to enough PFL shows before I even signed with them and I’d spoken to Sadibou Sy and Francis Ngannou. They told me about it and I know how it works and I like it because if I get a big knockout I get six points.”
Bellator Champions Series London is on 14th September at the OVO Arena Wembley, with tickets on-sale now at AXS.com