French phenom Cedric Doumbe was expected to make his cagefighting return as part of the Bellator Paris card at Accor Arena on May 17, taking on welterweight veteran Derek Anderson in the HBO Max-streamed co-main event.
Less than 24 hours after the announcement, Anderson revealed on Instagram that he was run down by a car and left with a mangled foot, bouncing him from the Bellator lineup and leaving Doumbe without a date to the big dance.
“Love you all. Hit and run,” Anderson wrote. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t make this fight happen. You have no idea. I will not be getting another bike.”
No word yet on how Bellator officials will proceed but considering Doumbe’s popularity in France, it’s reasonable to assume matchmakers will make the effort to keep “The Best” a part of the Paris fight card against an opponent to be named.
Stay tuned.