Athletes
Sedriques Dumas Hits The Global Stage
Pensacola’s Sedriques Dumas Is Set To Make His International Debut Against Abu Azaitar At UFC 294
It looks like Sedriques Dumas is having no issues adjusting to Abu Dhabi.
The middleweight arrived on-site a week before his Saturday bout against Abu Azaitar, who he was initially scheduled to face off with this past March. But now that the two will finally meet this weekend, he seems to be adjusting well for his first fight outside of the United States.
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He shared his excitement with UFC.com, saying, “Adjusting to the time, that’s really it, but besides that, I love the view, love the sightseeing, and all that. It’s new to me; it’s my first time ever coming over here, so it’s just something new.”
For the Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) veteran, this journey signifies more than just a fight; it’s an opportunity for him to travel the world while pursuing his passion. "It means a lot because I’m the very first Pensacola, Florida, UFC active fighter, besides Roy Jones in boxing. It’s kind of a big thing to me."
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Dumas' career has shown his resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.
Reflecting on his first UFC win in Florida, he expressed the significance of overcoming challenges. “It was very special, especially to me, because it was a challenge I needed to overcome. A lot of people said, ‘He doesn’t have groundwork, he doesn’t have this.’ But that wasn’t even me in that ring that first fight,” he said. He points out that regardless of a win or loss, he keeps pushing and always stays ready for the next.
When it comes to his opponent, “Captain Morocco,” Dumas doesn’t mince words. “Oh, F him, for real,” he said. The thought of the fight ignited an extra fire under Dumas, stemming from Azaitar pulling out of their scheduled bout within two weeks of Dumas’ UFC debut and after he had put in a hefty six months in the gym preparing for the bout.
“It’s personal, and it’s business at the same time for me because you did take away my undefeated streak and made me look like I wasn’t prepared, and I looked like an amateur, and that will never happen again,” Dumas asserted.
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One of the most interesting things about this matchup is the disparity in their recent fight histories.
Looking back, Azaitar hasn’t fought since 2021. Meanwhile, Dumas has been incredibly active, having fought four times in that period.
Looking forward to this weekend, Dumas expressed his excitement about this being his “real UFC debut.” He’s hopeful that this fight will showcase his improvements, making the walkout a meaningful moment. “Man, I’m smiling, happy. I’m just happy to be here,” he said. For him, fighting isn’t just a job; it’s an art, a dance, and he visibly approaches it with joy and confidence.
As for what people will be saying about him post-fight, Dumas remains nonchalant.
“I don’t care what a lot of people say, but I hope they say he keeps improving, and I hope he makes it to the top,” he shared. With his sights set on continuous improvement and a spot in the top 10, Dumas is cruising through his journey one step at a time.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 took place live from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE on October 21, 2023. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!
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