Changes in Bellator MMA Event in Paris Highlighted by Debut of Popular French Fighter

The upcoming Bellator MMA event in Paris has experienced a setback as undefeated lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov has been forced to withdraw from his title defense against Alexander Shabliy on May 17 due to an unspecified injury. This news comes as a blow to fans who were eagerly anticipating Nurmagomedov’s return to the cage after serving a six-month suspension for a failed drug test last October.

Despite Nurmagomedov’s withdrawal, the fight card for Bellator Champions Series: Paris at Accor Arena is not without star power. Patchy Mix’s bantamweight title defense against Magomed Magomedov has been bumped up to the main event slot. Mix, boasting a record of 19-1, will be looking to hold onto his title in a rematch against Magomedov, whom he previously defeated by submission in 2022.

Adding to the excitement of the event is the Bellator debut of former two-time Glory kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbé, a native of Cameroon who now resides in France. Doumbé, with a record of 5-1, was originally slated to face Derek Anderson. However, Anderson had to withdraw from the bout following a foot injury sustained in a bike accident. Despite this setback, Doumbé remains determined to make a statement in his Bellator debut.

Doumbé’s recent performances have been a mixed bag, showcasing both his potential and his vulnerability. In his last outing in PFL Europe, he made quick work of Jordan Zébo with a stunning 9-second knockout. However, his momentum was halted in his next fight when he suffered a TKO loss to Baissangour Chamsoudinov due to an injury. The fight was prematurely stopped in the third round after Doumbé complained of a glass splinter in his foot.

The changes to the Bellator MMA event in Paris have created a buzz in the MMA community, with the unexpected withdrawal of Nurmagomedov paving the way for other fighters to step into the spotlight. With Mix’s title defense now at the forefront and Doumbé set to make his highly-anticipated debut, fans can expect an action-packed night of fights in the City of Light.