MMA Fighting (Hardy), © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports (McGregor)

Dan Hardy Compares Unbeaten PFL Fighter To Conor McGregor: 'I've Only Seen That Reaction To A Fighter One Time...'

Originally posted on MMA News | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated 11/21/23

PFL analyst and former UFC fighter Dan Hardy feels one of the league's recent signees has the potential to meet Conor McGregor's star power.

The 2023 PFL Championship takes place this Friday night in Washington D.C. Six championship fights headline the card, which features top talents such as Kayla Harrison, Biaggio Ali-Walsh, and former UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson.

The PFL has had a busy calendar year in 2023. PFL Europe, the Bellator acquisition, and a flurry of top-level fights have boosted the league's global branding. PFL Europe has helped expand the league's influence into the European continent, leading to rising stars making names for themselves like Dakota Ditcheva and Simeon Powell.

Hardy, who is one of the heads of PFL Europe, feels one of the league's up-and-coming fighters has what it takes to take the sport by storm.

Dan Hardy Lauds Cédric Doumbé As Next Potential Conor McGregor

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Hardy praised Cédric Doumbé's fast ascent to stardom.

"Cédric Doumbé did his work in kickboxing, so when he walked into the cage as an MMA fighter, he was a superstar," Hardy said. "I've literally only ever seen that reaction to a fighter one time, and that was [Conor McGregor] in Dublin. I still have a suit that's drenched in Guinness from that night...

"That was a special event, and the Cédric Doumbé event was a special event. What it did was highlight the other fighters on the card...all of the other playoff fights that we had on the card, that got a lot more focus and interest because Cedric Doumbe was the headliner."

Doumbé's PFL debut lasted just nine seconds in Paris on September 30. He knocked out Jordan Zébo at PFL Europe 3 in front of a wild crowd.

Doumbé's MMA career is just five fights after a 75-7-1 run in professional kickboxing. He was one of the biggest names in Glory Kickboxing, rivaling the stardom of Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya.

The energy of Doumbé's fanbase in Europe is comparable to McGregor's, and Hardy feels it could only be a matter of time until Doumbé skyrockets to the top of PFL.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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