French MMA superstar Cedric Doumbe has called for a mixed-rules bout with Jake Paul in his latest big-name callout.
The kickboxing star-turned-MMA fighter was in Lyon on Saturday night to help pick out three contract winners at the PFL Europe finals. And he made some time to cut a promo in the cage where he named a number of future opponents.
He poked fun at his infamous sole career loss to Baysangur ‘Baki’ Chamsoudinov by sweeping the cage before entering, calling back to their fight earlier this year. There, he was declared to have been stopped after both men noticed a splinter had found its way into his toe and they called for a temporary stoppage.
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Cedric Doumbe slams Jake Paul as he calls for mixed rules bout
Cedric Doumbe suggested a number of big fights during his promo for his next PFL outing, but none got a bigger reaction than one of combat sport’s most controversial names. The massive French star is considerably lighter than Jake Paul, but would be in keeping with his general size of opponent.
And Doumbe suggested that the pair take part in a mixed-rules bout where the ruleset changes each round. Demetrious Johnson had a similar type of bout in ONE Championship, and Doumbe wants a round of boxing first before moving into MMA.
“I know, I know, I know you guys want to see a real fight,” Doumbe told a packed out crowd at the LDLC Arena in Lyon. “But I need to get paid… Jake Paul, I would like to say you are a good fighter, but you aren’t a good fighter.
“We can do it in France, we can do it in America. You are a big star in the US, I am a big star in France, let’s get it done. First round boxing, second round MMA, whatever you want, you are getting knocked out.”
Jake Paul claims Nate Diaz is afraid of MMA fight as he gives update on PFL debut
Back in January of 2023, Jake Paul announced that he was signing up with PFL in a deal that would see him take an equity stake in the promotion. But the most exciting part was a guarantee that he was eventually going to step into the Smart Cage for a fight of his own.
He has become known for fighting MMA legends in the boxing ring, knocking out the likes of Tyron Woodley, Mike Perry and Ben Askren on his impressive run. But he is now transferring to the cage, and is keen to face his former opponent Nate Diaz in a rematch within his sport.
However, he appears to believe that Diaz is afraid of the challenge. “We want to, but our opponents don’t actually really want to,” Paul told MMA Fighting of his future in the cage. “It’s funny that Nate Diaz is actually scared to fight me in MMA.
“The biggest payday of his life would be me and him in MMA. I’m ready.” Diaz hit back in a tweet, telling Paul: “Sign the contract Scary and not in 12 months from now and in a s****y organization Scary.”