Sadibou Sy

Sadibou Sy
Born	(1986-11-27) November 27, 1986 (age 37) Stockholm, Sweden
Other names	The Swedish Denzel
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Division	Light heavyweight Welterweight
Reach	80 in (203 cm)
Fighting out of	Stockholm, Sweden
Team	Xtreme Couture
Years active	2005-2012 (Kickboxing) 2013–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total	28
Wins	17
By knockout	9
By decision	8
Losses	8
By knockout	3
By submission	2
By decision	3
Draws	2
No contests	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Sadibou Sy

Medal record
Representing   Sweden
Muay Thai
World Championships
	2010 Bangkok	−86 kg
	2012 St. Petersburg	−86 kg
Kickboxing
World Championships
	2007 Coimbra	−86 kg
	2008 Phnom Penh	−86 kg
	2009 Olomouc	−86 kg
	2010 Alicante	−86 kg
European Championships
	2007 Szentes	−86 kg

Sadibou Sy (born November 27, 1986) is a Swedish mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League.

Background

Sadibou Sy, a mixed martial artist with Senegalese roots, grew up in a large family with six siblings in Sweden. He initially played soccer before transitioning to martial arts when he was in his teens. Sy began training at Wasa Martial Arts Center, focusing on kickboxing and later competed in Thai boxing. From the age of 13 until February 2017, Sy only had between 20 and 40% vision. ^[1] He was then fitted with contact lenses to alleviate the chronic inflammation he suffered from. The lenses gave him about 80% vision and since then, he says his progress has been "huge". ^{[2] [3]} Despite his vision problems, he started competing in martial arts at the age of 15. ^{[4] [5]}

Sy has worked various jobs throughout his career, but now focuses on training at the Martial Arts Lab in Östermalm, where he also works as a personal trainer. Sy's goal is to minimize his work commitments and concentrate on his MMA career, aiming to secure better pay and sponsorships. ^[4]

Muay Thai career

On October 13, 2012, Sy faced Corentin Jallon at Supremacy League in Stockholm, Sweden, for the vacant WKN Oriental rules Cruiserweight title. ^{[6] [7] [8]} Sy won the fight by unanimous decision. ^[9]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Before transitioning to MMA, Sy won both the World Championship and World Championship (B) in Thai boxing in 2010. He also claimed the ISKA (International Sport Karate & Kickboxing Association) World Championship title in 2008 and 2010. ^[10] Sy began his MMA career in Stockholm-based organization IRFA (International Ring Fight Arena) and amassed a 2–1 record before joining Superior Challenge. ^[11] In his debut at SC 12, he defeated Englishman Carl Booth via first-round TKO. ^[12] After two fights with other organizations, Sy returned to Superior Challenge with a 6–2 record. At SC 14, he gained widespread attention for his viral head-kick KO against Welshman David Round. Sy continued his winning streak at SC 16, defeating Greek fighter Nikos Sokolis with another first-round TKO.

Professional Fighters League

2018 Season

Sadibou Sy, boasting a 6–2 record, joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with an ambitious goal of winning the top prize of one million USD. He debuted against UFC and Bellator veteran Bruno Santos at PFL 3, ultimately losing via unanimous decision. In his second fight of the 2018 season at PFL 7, Sy defeated Brazilian Caio Magalhães with a first-round head kick KO, securing his spot in the playoffs. During the playoffs at PFL 10, he faced Santos once again, resulting in a draw but advancing due to PFL tiebreaker rules, before being eliminated by German Abusupiyan Magomedov via unanimous decision. ^[13]

2019 Season

Starting the 2019 season at PFL 1, Sy began with a stunning 17-second liver kick KO victory over American David Michaud. ^[14] However, he lost his next fight to Glaico França at PFL 4 via TKO in the third round. ^[15] Despite the loss, Sy advanced to the playoffs at PFL 7 based on points.

He faced Ray Cooper III in the quarterfinals at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019, with the fight ending in a draw with Cooper advancing, due to PFL rules where the winner of the first round advances, which led to Sy's elimination from the 2019 playoffs. ^[16]

2021 Season

After the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID, Sadibou returned at PFL 2 on April 29, 2021, against Nikolay Aleksakhin, with the bout ending in a no contest after an accidental eye poke in the second round led to Aleksakhin being unable to continue. ^[17]

Sy faced Alexey Kunchenko at PFL 5 on June 17, 2021. ^[18] He won the bout via unanimous decision. ^[19]

Sy, replacing João Zeferino, faced Magomed Magomedkerimov in a Semi-Final match-up at PFL 7 on August 13, 2021. ^[20] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. ^[21]

2022 Season

Sy rematched Nikolay Aleksakhin on May 6, 2022, at PFL 3, winning the close bout via split decision. ^[22]

Sy faced Rory MacDonald on July 1, 2022, at PFL 6. ^[23] In an upset, Sy won the bout via unanimous decision. ^[24]

In the semi-finals at PFL 8, Sy faced Carlos Leal, winning the bout and advancing to the finals via unanimous decision. ^{[25] [26]}

At the finals on November 25, 2022, at PFL 10, Sy won the bout and the $1 million dollar cumulative prize via unanimous decision. ^[27]

2023 Season

Sy started off the 2023 season against Jarrah Al-Silawi on April 14, 2023. ^[28] Sy won the bout via TKO after knocking out Al-Silawi with knee to the body followed up with punches. ^[29]

Sy faced Shane Mitchell on June 23, 2023, at PFL 6. ^[30] He won the fight via spinning wheel kick knockout in the third round. ^[31]

In the semi-finals, Sy faced Carlos Leal at PFL 9 on August 23, 2023. ^[32] At weigh-ins, Carlos Leal weighed in at 172 pounds, 1 pound over the Welterweight limit. Leal was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to his opponent Sy, and started the bout with a one point subtraction. ^[33] Sy won the fight via split decision to advance to the finals. ^[34]

In the final, Sy faced Magomed Magomedkerimov on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10. ^[35] He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the third round. ^[36]

2024 Season

Moving up to Light Heavyweight, Sy started the 2024 season with a bout against Josh Silveira on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2. ^[37] He lost the fight by technical knockout as a result of a finger injury. ^[38]

Sy was expect to face Tom Breese on June 21, 2024, at PFL 5. However, Breese withdrew at the last minute and was replaced by Andrew Sanchez. ^[39] Sy won the fight via TKO in the third round. ^[40]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Professional Fighters League
  • 2022 PFL Welterweight Championship

Kickboxing

• World Kickboxing Network
  • 2012 WKN European Championship (-88,6 kg) ^[41]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

28 matches	17 wins	8 losses
By knockout	9	3
By submission	0	2
By decision	8	3
Draws	2
No contests	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	17–8–2 (1)	Andrew Sanchez	TKO (punches)	PFL 5 (2024)	June 21, 2024	3	4:02	Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Loss	16–8–2 (1)	Josh Silveira	TKO (finger injury)	PFL 2 (2024)	April 12, 2024	1	1:40	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss	16–7–2 (1)	Magomed Magomedkerimov	Submission (guillotine choke)	PFL 10 (2023)	November 24, 2023	3	1:17	Washington, D.C., United States	2023 PFL Welterweight Tournament Final.
Win	16–6–2 (1)	Carlos Leal	Decision (split)	PFL 9 (2023)	August 23, 2023	3	5:00	New York City, New York, United States	2023 PFL Welterweight Tournament Semifinal; Leal missed weight (172 lb).
Win	15–6–2 (1)	Shane Mitchell	KO (spinning wheel kick)	PFL 6 (2023)	June 23, 2023	3	1:35	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win	14–6–2 (1)	Jarrah Al-Silawi	TKO (knee to the body and punches)	PFL 3 (2023)	April 14, 2023	2	2:14	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	13–6–2 (1)	Dilano Taylor	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 10 (2022)	November 25, 2022	5	5:00	New York City, New York, United States	Won the 2022 PFL Welterweight Tournament.
Win	12–6–2 (1)	Carlos Leal	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 8 (2022)	August 13, 2022	3	5:00	Cardiff, Wales	2022 PFL Welterweight Tournament Semifinal. Leal was deducted one point in round 3 due to a groin strike.
Win	11–6–2 (1)	Rory MacDonald	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 6 (2022)	July 1, 2022	3	5:00	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win	10–6–2 (1)	Nikolay Aleksakhin	Decision (split)	PFL 3 (2022)	May 6, 2022	3	5:00	Arlington, Texas, United States
Loss	9–6–2 (1)	Magomed Magomedkerimov	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 7 (2021)	August 13, 2021	3	5:00	Hollywood, Florida, United States	2021 PFL Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win	9–5–2 (1)	Alexey Kunchenko	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 5 (2021)	June 17, 2021	3	5:00	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
NC	8–5–2 (1)	Nikolay Aleksakhin	NC (accidental eye poke)	PFL 2 (2021)	April 29, 2021	2	1:56	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Accidental eye poke rendered Aleksakhin unable to continue.
Draw	8–5–2	Ray Cooper III	Draw (unanimous)	PFL 7 (2019)	October 11, 2019	2	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	2019 PFL Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal. Eliminated via first round tiebreaker.
Loss	8–5–1	Glaico França	TKO (punches)	PFL 4 (2019)	July 11, 2019	3	4:29	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	8–4–1	David Michaud	TKO (body kick and punches)	PFL 1 (2019)	May 9, 2019	1	0:17	Uniondale, New York, United States	Return to Welterweight.
Loss	7–4–1	Abus Magomedov	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 10 (2018)	October 20, 2018	3	5:00	Washington, D.C., United States	2018 PFL Middleweight Tournament Semifinal.
Draw	7–3–1	Bruno Santos	Draw (majority)			2	5:00		2018 PFL Middleweight Tournament Quarterfinal. Advances via first round tiebreaker.
Win	7–3	Caio Magalhães	KO (head kick and punches)	PFL 7 (2018)	August 30, 2018	1	2:06	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss	6–3	Bruno Santos	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 3 (2018)	July 5, 2018	3	5:00	Washington, D.C., United States
Win	6–2	Nikos Sokolis	TKO (punches)	Superior Challenge 16	December 2, 2017	1	3:43	Stockholm, Sweden	Welterweight bout.
Win	5–2	David Round	KO (head kick)	Superior Challenge 14	October 8, 2016	1	0:41	Stockholm, Sweden	Catchweight (176 lb) bout.
Loss	4–2	Zauri Maisuradze	TKO (punches)	Scandinavian Fight Nights 1	June 4, 2016	1	N/A	Stockholm, Sweden
Win	4–1	Karol Linowski	Decision (unanimous)	PLMMA 67	May 21, 2016	3	5:00	Łomianki, Poland
Win	3–1	Carl Booth	TKO (kick to the body and punches)	Superior Challenge 12	May 16, 2015	1	2:07	Malmö, Sweden	Catchweight (176 lb) bout.
Win	2–1	Gábor Boráros	TKO (punches)	IRFA 7	November 22, 2014	2	4:37	Stockholm, Sweden	Welterweight bout.
Loss	1–1	Oskar Piechota	Submission (triangle choke)	IRFA 6	April 5, 2014	2	N/A	Stockholm, Sweden
Win	1–0	Robert Bryczek	Decision (unanimous)	IRFA 5	October 19, 2013	3	5:00	Stockholm, Sweden	Middleweight debut.

^[42]

Muay Thai and Kickboxing record

Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing record

Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time
2012-12-01	Loss	Simon Marcus	Muay Thai in America: In Honor of the King	Los Angeles, California, US	KO (left elbow)	3	1:07
2012-10-13	Win	Corentin Jallon	Supremacy League	Stockholm, Sweden	Decision (Unanimous)	5	3:00
Wins the vacant WKN European Oriental Rules Cruiserweight title
2012	Win	Drew Williams	The Knockout League 2	Stockholm, Sweden	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2011-08-13	Win	Juan Bates	The Knockout League 1	Stockholm, Sweden	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2011-07-12	Win	Pete Lennart	BOK 7	Stockholm, Sweden	KO	1	0:20
2011-05-18	Win	Joe Miller	Battle of kings 3	Stockholm, Sweden	TKO	3	1:00
2011-03-11	Win	Drew Williams	Battle of kings	Stockholm, Sweden	Decision (Split)	3	3:00
2011-02-10	Win	Hazard	BOK	Stockholm, Sweden	KO	3	0:35
2009-09-26	Loss	Adam Lazarevic	Battle of Sweden II	Stockholm, Sweden	Decision (Split)	5	3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Amateur Muay Thai and Kickboxing record (incomplete)

Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time
2012-09-13	Loss	Artem Vakhitov	2012 IFMA World Championships, Final	Saint Petersburg, Russia	Decision	4	2:00
Wins the 2012 IFMA World Championships -86 kg/189 lb Silver Medal.
2012-09-11	Win	Jasur Mirzamukhamedov	2012 IFMA World Championships, Semi Finals	Saint Petersburg, Russia	Decision	4	2:00
2012-09-09	Win	Sergej Papusha	2012 IFMA World Championships, Quarter Finals	Saint Petersburg, Russia	Decision	4	2:00
2010-12-03	Win	Ters Rinalds	2010 IFMA World Championships, Final	Bangkok, Thailand	KO	3
Wins the 2010 IFMA World Championships B-class -86 kg/189 lb Gold Medal.
2009-08-	Win	Ondrej Srubek	2009 ISKA World Championships, Final	Olomouc, Czech Republic
Wins the 2009 ISKA World Championships Oriental Rules -86 kg/189 lb Gold Medal.
2009-08-	Win	Filip Kollar	2009 ISKA World Championships, Final	Olomouc, Czech Republic
Wins the 2009 ISKA World Championships Low Kick -86 kg/189 lb Gold Medal.
2007-12-	Loss	Sergey Bogdan	2007 ISKA World Championships, Final	Coimbra, Portugal	Decision (2:1)	3	2:00
Wins the 2007 WAKO World Championships Full Contact -86 kg/189 lb Silver Medal.
2007-12-	Win	Mairis Briedis	2007 ISKA World Championships, Semifinals	Coimbra, Portugal	Decision (2:1)	3	2:00
2007-11-	Win	Teppo Laine	2007 ISKA World Championships, Quarterfinals	Coimbra, Portugal	Decision (3:0)	3	2:00
2007-11-	Win	Bogumil Polonski	2007 ISKA World Championships, First Round	Coimbra, Portugal	Decision (2:1)	3	2:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

• List of current PFL fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. Sherdog.com. "Sadibou Sy's Quest for PFL Glory". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
2. Taliercio, Johan (2018-09-10). "Sadibou Sy tävlade med 30 procents synförmåga: "Tänkte inte på det"". MMAnytt.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2023-04-25.
3. ""Ulf Kristersson vet nog inte vem jag är"". www.expressen.se (in Swedish). February 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
4. "Sadibou Sy". 2020-08-04. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
5. Al-Shatti, Shaun (2018-07-04). "Kickboxing stud Sadibou Sy shooting for an MMA coming out party at PFL 3". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
6. "Sadibou Sy for Supremacy Rising". Solid Sport. 11 October 2012.
7. "Supremacy League - Supremacy Rising". Supremacy League. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
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   • "KICKBOXING ORIENTAL RULES EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS". World Kickboxing Network. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
9. "BILDSPECIAL OCH GENOMGÅNG AV SUPREMACY LEAGUE". MMA NYTT. 16 October 2012.
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12. Staff, MMA Viking (2015-05-18). "Cageside photos : Sadibou Sy vs Carl Booth at SC 12". Nordic MMA Everyday at MMA Viking. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
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14. Fernando, Quiles Jr. (May 9, 2019). "Watch: PFL's Sadibou Sy Starches David Michaud With Liver Kick". MMANews.com.
15. Anderson, Jay (2019-07-11). "PFL 4 2019 Results: Glaico Franca Finishes Sadibou Sy Late". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
16. Anderson, Jay (2019-10-11). "PFL 7 2019 Results: Ray Cooper III Advances Following Draw with Sadibou Sy". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
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19. "PFL 5: Rory MacDonald, Ray Cooper III, Emiliano Sordi secure playoff spots". ESPN.com. 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
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22. "Sadibou Sy wins a razor close split decision in rematch with Nikolai Aleksakhin". www.pflmma.com. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
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25. Meshew, Jed (2022-08-13). "PFL Playoffs 2 results: Rory MacDonald fails to advance to welterweight finals, falls in first round to Dilano Taylor". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
26. Dewar, Val (2022-08-13). "Sadibou Sy Advances to PFL Welterweight Final With Decision Over Carlos Leal". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
27. Dewar, Val (2022-11-25). "PFL World Championship: Sadibou Sy Stays the Course, Wins Welterweight Title Against Dilano Taylor". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
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29. "2023 PFL 3 video: Sadibou Sy crushes Jarrah Al-Silawi with nasty knee to the body". 15 April 2023.
30. Lee, Alexander K. (2023-05-12). "PFL announces second-half event lineups following 9 fighters receiving drug test suspensions". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
31. "Sadibou Sy walks into PFL playoffs with walk-off KO, seeking to repeat as champion". www.pflmma.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
32. "Ferreira-Greene leads pair of PFL cards in N.Y." ESPN.com. 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
33. "2023 PFL Playoffs 3 weigh-in results: Carlos Leal heavy, deducted scorecard point". MMA Junkie. 2023-08-22. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
34. "Sadibou Sy now looks for second straight PFL welterweight title after split decision win". pflmma.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
35. "Meet the 2023 PFL finalists, including three potential repeat $1 million winners". MMA Junkie. 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
36. Dewar, Val (2023-11-25). "Magomed Magomedkerimov Subs Sadibou Sy, Wins Second 170lb Title at 2023 PFL Championship". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
37. Cruz, Guilherme (2024-03-11). "PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
38. "2024 PFL 2 video: Takedown mutilates Sadibou Sy's thumb, ends Josh Silveira fight quickly". MMA Junkie. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
39. Staff (2024-06-21). "2024 PFL 5: Collard vs. Burnell Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
40. "Sadibou Sy's speed and kicks on display en route to a last-minute finish". pflmma.com. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
41. "European Oriental Rules Cruiserweight Championship". worldkickboxingnetwork.com.
42. "Sadibou Sy MMA Stats - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2 December 2022.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Sadibou Sy from Sherdog