Cedric Doumbe, a former GLORY kickboxing champion, has expressed his dislike for referee Marc Goddard and hopes to avoid him in his future fights in PFL and Bellator, following an incident where a fight was stopped due to a splinter in Doumbe’s foot.
Cedric Doumbe isn’t exactly thrilled about the idea of Marc Goddard refereeing his future fights. He’s got his sights set on PFL and Bellator, and Goddard isn’t part of the plan.
Rewind to March. Doumbe’s first MMA loss. A splinter in his foot. He asked for a timeout to remove it, but Goddard wasn’t having it. No timeouts, he said. Doumbe couldn’t engage, and Goddard called it. Fight over. Third round stoppage.
Fast forward less than two months. Doumbe’s got another fight on the books. Bellator Paris, May 17. He’s not going to make a scene, but he’s clear about one thing. Anyone but Goddard for the ref.
“I know it’s not cool to say, but I’m not a fan of the guy anymore,” Doumbe admitted during a media call. “I liked him once. He refereed my first MMA fight in Dubai. I was cool with him then. Not anymore.”
He added, “This isn’t the first time he’s made these kinds of calls in the octagon. I’ll ask for a different ref for my fight. If they say no, so be it. I don’t care. But I don’t like the guy. Don’t think I ever will again.”
Since signing with PFL, Doumbe’s been making waves. He’s one of the most hyped fighters on the roster. But that weird loss? Left a sour taste.
Doumbe often boasts about being the face of French MMA. He claims he’s the only French fighter who can sell out arenas in record time. Even UFC stars like Ciryl Gane can’t touch him, he says.
Given how his last fight ended, Doumbe knows he’s got to bring it for the Paris crowd. His next opponent? Bellator veteran Jaleel Willis.
“Every fight brings pressure,” Doumbe said. “I talk a big game, and I’ve got to back it up. I don’t talk just to talk. I back it up. I’m the face of French MMA. That’s pressure.”
He continued, “I’m a showman before I’m a fighter. I love to put on a show. For the French crowd, for the world. Hope you’re ready. We’ve been working hard.”
Despite the bitterness from his March loss, Doumbe’s in good spirits for his May 17 fight. He even managed a joke about his next opponent and the Paris crowd.
“I just hope Jaleel isn’t praying for a splinter in the cage this time,” Doumbe joked. “I hope it’s going to be good. I hope Goddard isn’t the ref. Then we can have a good fight. That’s it.”