Cedric Doumbe, Derek Anderson to Clash in New Bellator Paris Co-Main Event

Cedric Doumbe will make his Bellator MMA debut against Derek Anderson in the Bellator Champions Series Paris co-headliner on May 17.

The bout is part of a multi-fight extension signed by Doumbe with Professional Fighters League, which purchased Bellator late last year. A former two-time Glory Kickboxing welterweight champion, Doumbe has quickly emerged as one of PFL’s biggest stars in Europe.

"Re-signing Cedric Doumbe to a multi-year contract extension has been one of our highest priorities since he joined the promotion last year," PFL CEO Peter Murray said in a release. "Cedric is a large part of our continued growth in France, and now he will compete at Bellator Champions Series Paris on a fight card that can be streamed by fans in the U.S. on Max, as he continues his trajectory through our global leagues.”

The addition of Doumbe vs. Anderson is part of some significant shuffling at the top of the Bellator Paris card. The event’s original headliner, a lightweight title tilt pitting reigning champion Usman Nurmagomedov against Alexander Shabliy, has been postponed due to an undisclosed injury suffered by Nurmagomedov. The fight is expected to be rebooked in the “near future,” according to a release. Meanwhile, a bantamweight championship showdown between Patrick Mix and Magomed Magomedov has been elevated to the main event.

Bellator Champions Series Paris takes place at Accor Arena in Paris and will air on Max in the United States. The card also includes a middleweight contender’s bout between Costella Van Steenis and Gregory Babene.

The 31-year-old Doumbe began his professional MMA tenure with five straight victories, including a nine-second knockout of Jordan Zebo in his PFL debut this past September. In his last outing, the Frenchman suffered a controversial third-round TKO defeat to Baissangour Chamsoudinov at PFL Europe 1. The contest was halted when Doumbe complained to referee Marc Goddard about an injury to his left foot at the 1:21 mark of Round 3. Doumbe later revealed that he had been hindered by a splinter in his foot during the bout.

Anderson, meanwhile, has compiled an 8-4 mark under the Bellator banner since his promotional debut in 2013. Most recently, the Californian returned to action following more than a two-year hiatus this past September, when he scored a 30-second submission of Ray Parker at a Gladiator Challenge event.