Doumbe kicks off PFL Europe season on 7 March

French MMA star Cedric Doumbe will fight Baissangour "Baki" Chamsoudinov on 7 March at the Accor Arena in Paris.

The event will open PFL Europe's new season with fight nights in Newcastle and Glasgow also planned.

England's Dakota Ditcheva was the stand-out British fighter in 2023 as she won the inaugural PFL Europe flyweight title.

Doumbe, 31, is undefeated in five pro fights and will continue to compete at welterweight.

The Frenchman made a winning PFL debut to much acclaim last September, with Paris St-Germain footballer Kylian Mbappe at cage-side to see the nine-second knockout of Jordan Zebo.

France's Chamsoudinov, 22, is also unbeaten with seven wins and three stoppages on his record.

"We're incredibly excited to bring the biggest French MMA superstar, to the biggest Arena in Paris, in front of the crowd that was voted the best MMA crowd in the world in 2023," said Dan Hardy, head of fighter operations for PFL Europe.

"Cedric Doumbe's presence at the top of the card will cap off what is set to be a huge night of showcase fights featuring local French and European talent, as well as the kick-off of another exciting season of the PFL Europe League format".

The PFL operate a knockout format for their European series and the winners are awarded £78,000 alongside their belts.

PFL Europe will have four weight classes - welterweight, lightweight, bantamweight and women's flyweight.

It is yet to be confirmed if Ditcheva, 25, will compete in the upcoming American season which will begin later this year or continue to build her experience as PFL does not have a flyweight division in the US.