Exclusive: Cédric Doumbè makes rematch with Baki official

After not fighting for nearly a year, Cédric Doumbè has spoken out about his rivalry with Baki (Baissangour Chamsoudinov) and looks ahead to the rematch in an interview with DAZN News. 

It's the fight everyone's been waiting for, and the logical next step in the careers of both fighters. Doumbè versus Baki.

After ‘The Best’ lost the first fight — Doumbè had complained of a splinter in his toe, and the referee decided to end the fight — many have wondered when the rematch would take place. 

"It’s not 'when is Doumbè vs. Baki?' The public wants to know when Doumbè is coming back," Doumbè said. "If I were in their shoes, I’d want Cédric to come back."

It's an expectation that the man himself understands. 

"And I want Cédric to come back," he said. "I speak of myself in the third person because I think, this guy is incredible. With the way he hypes up the fights, the atmosphere, and on top of that, he gets first-round KOs. I’d want to marry him."

After this defeat to Baki, Doumbè fought two months later, winning by first-round TKO against Jaleel Willis in Paris. Baki, for his part, hasn't fought since, and will face Thiago Lima at ARES 30.

"First, Baki needs to fight," Doumbè said. "Cédric Doumbè has fought since. I fought and I won. First-round KO, The Vacuum Cleaner. I did everything I had to do. Since then, we haven’t seen anything from him except for TV shows where he says he got more than he asked for, which is completely false. I’m doing very, very well at the PFL. I’m in the PFL’s good graces. I know very well what he got paid. He didn’t get what he claims, and certainly not more."

Doumbè did not opass up the opportunity to take a dig at his rival.

"He didn’t get what he asked for and he didn’t get more," he said. "He needs to stay in his lane. Maybe he’ll get that money later, if he ever reaches my level or maybe more."

As Doumbè announced to DAZN News, one of the most eagerly-awaited rematches in French MMA will take place.

"That’s the fight everyone’s waiting for. It will happen," he said. "He can’t stay on a dishonest win. First, he needs to fight on his own, against reputable opponents. Not against sheep, or goats, or sweet potatoes, or potatoes, but against real fighters. And then we’ll settle our score in the cage."