Former GLORY Welterweight Champion Cedric Doumbe has resigned from the UFC.
Doumbe, who holds a MMA record of 2-0, was pulled from UFC’s first-ever card in Paris after the local commission reportedly decided he didn’t have enough experience to fight on the Sept. 3 card opposite Darian Weeks. Multiple people with knowledge of the plans of the promotion told MMA Fighting that the promotion decided to terminate his contract. Due to the delicate nature of this situation, the people requested anonymity.
Doumbe disputed his release after the algorithm-based Twitter account UFC Roster Watch said he’d been removed from the roster. In an interview with French-language website Boxemag.com, he said he is still under contract but needs to be cleared by regulators to compete.
They didn’t let me go, they just asked for my paperwork, license, etc. I signed the contract. with the federation,” said Doumbe, referring to French Boxing Federation that oversees MMA in France. “That’s why, as long as I haven’t done my license, I can’t fight in France. After that, it will be announced in the concerned country . I’ll also need to complete the necessary paperwork.
The 30-year-old fighter made his transition to MMA after building an impressive 75-7-1 record in kickboxing with 45 knockouts wins, defending the GLORY welterweight title three times before walking away from the sport. Doumbe won both his MMA bouts by knockout. Weeks, his original UFC Paris opponent, was 5-2 as a professional.
UFC Paris takes place at the Accor Arena and air live on ESPN+, with local star Ciryl Gane facing Tai Tuivasa in a five-round heavyweight main event. Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker co-headlines the card in a highly anticipated clash with Marvin Vettori.
Damon Martin was a contributor to this report.
