There is no love lost between Cedric Doumbe and his opponent Jaleel Willis. The people's main event, as some have called, it is Paris' own Doumbe, who is returning to avenge the loss he suffered in his last showing, a controversial referee stoppage that left a sour taste in Doumbe's mouth. Standing across from him will be Willis who has already started the trash-talking online ahead of their May 17 clash.
Willis took to his Instagram to call out Doumbe saying, "I'm going to this man's own backyard, smash him, smother him, and show that man what it's like to fight a real veteran."
The two then met on a media call where words were exchanged and tensions escalated.
“France is waiting for me,” Doumbe said during the call. “All the French crowd, the French people and even American people are waiting for me to knock him [Willis] out. I will do what I do best, rip his head off, shut his mouth and send him back to the U.S.”
Willis fired back saying, “How many times do anybody get to go into anyone’s backyard and dominate and do some s*** and be glorified for it and not get locked up,” Willis said.
Doumbe, who brought out a mattress for his opponent in his PFL debut, gave a clear warning to Willis.
“He can visit Paris before the fight," he said of Willis. "Because after the fight he will visit the hospital of Paris. And that will be not, you know, that will not be good for him. So he can even smoke another joint. Like he did on the last interview. You know, for me, he doesn't need any joints. Because after the first smack, he will be high forever.”
Doumbe was initially scheduled to fight Derek Anderson but Anderson was forced to withdraw due to injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident.
Doumbe vs. Willis serves as the co-main event for the Bellator Championship Series 2 event which is headlined by a title fight between reigning champion Patchy Mix and the challenger, Magomed Magomedov.
Live on DAZN PPV: Fury vs. Usyk on May 18. Click here for details.