Nothing Easy for ‘The Swedish Denzel’

Sadibou Sy has not had the easiest road in mixed martial arts. After joining the sport in 2013 in his native Sweden, he debuted in the Professional Fighters League with a loss to Bellator MMA and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Bruno Santos. Between 2018 and the end of 2021, Sy’s record in the organization amounted to 3-4-2 with one no-contest. However, he never lost his motivation.

“In 2022, I moved to Las Vegas,” Sy told Sherdog.com. “I always believed that I had what it took to make it all the way and become a world champion, so I just persevered.” It paid off in spades. Sy went undefeated in 2022, winning the PFL welterweight tournament and the $1 million prize that went along with it. “I made sure I had the right coaches around me,” he said. “I had the right training partners around me. I had the mindset, and I was willing to work hard. Going through all of that actually made it taste sweeter when I finally made it over the hump.”

Sy enters his 2024 campaign in search of a second PLF championship, this time at 205 pounds. He still trains at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, where the oppressive heat serves as an added bonus.

“To be honest,” Sy said, “I never got used to the weather in Sweden, even though I was born there.”

The first step in his latest effort comes in the form of a PFL 2 clash with 2023 light heavyweight finalist Joshua Silveira this Friday inside The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. Silveira has proven himself as a consistent finisher, with 11 of his 12 career wins having come by knockout or submission. Sy recognizes the risks.

“He’s very dangerous, especially when he gets comfortable. I think that I match up well with him,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being in there with him and trying different things and seeing how he’s striking, how he’s grappling and how his wrestling is going to hold up. By no means am I underestimating him. I always believe in myself. I believe I will be victorious. I’ve trained hard, and I’m prepared.”

Like fellow PFL champion Impa Kasanganay, Sy is the son of African immigrants. Over the last five years, multiple members of the African diaspora have reached world championship status in MMA. They include Kamaru Usman, Israel Adesanya and Francis Ngannou. Sy welcomes the loyalty of fans and sees it as the start of something special.

“I believe that I inspire people from over there because that’s what they tell me,” he said. “We’re going to see more people from Africa getting the recognition. I believe one of the reasons we don’t have more champions from Africa is because of opportunities.”

Sy plans to thrill onlookers in his latest assignment, though he has made it a point not to get too far ahead of himself.

“Being in the PFL since 2018, I’ve learned that I’m not looking past no fight,” he said. “The only thing that’s on my mind right now is next Friday and Josh Silveira. I just want to make sure that people tune in because I will put on a show. Make sure [you] don’t blink because, yeah, it goes fast.”