CHAPTERS
- 0:02 – 1:21
First UFC event experience & why French MMA felt “boring”
Joe welcomes Cedric and they start with his first in-person UFC experience. Cedric explains how France’s former MMA restrictions (especially limited ground strikes) shaped his view of domestic MMA events.
- 1:21 – 2:36
From Glory dominance to a clear UFC goal
Cedric lays out his intent to transition from kickboxing to MMA—not as a possibility, but as a plan. He frames it as the next challenge after achieving his first dream: becoming the best in kickboxing.
- 2:36 – 4:11
Falling in love with jiu-jitsu—and the ambition to do what McGregor couldn’t
Cedric describes how MMA training and watching grappling made him appreciate the complexity of jiu-jitsu. He then ties his motivation to becoming a champion in kickboxing and MMA, contrasting it with Conor’s boxing crossover attempt.
- 4:11 – 6:05
Style evolution: from ‘runner’ to finisher
Joe brings up Cedric’s shift from movement-heavy point fighting to more damaging, knockout-oriented performances. Cedric explains how fighting Holzken early in his Glory run influenced his strategy and public perception.
- 6:05 – 11:22
Weight cuts, diet discipline, and the ‘Golden Coach’ turnaround
Cedric details past weight-cut mistakes—crash dieting and dehydration days before fights—and how that hurt performance. He credits a structured nutrition plan (and a well-known French nutrition coach) for improving energy and enabling more stoppages.
- 11:22 – 13:19
Why kickboxing thrives in Europe but lags in the U.S.
They compare combat-sports popularity across regions and discuss what audiences find appealing. Cedric argues MMA is simpler to understand for casual fans and benefits from the cage, small gloves, and a ‘KO or nothing’ expectation.
- 13:19 – 15:37
France legalizing full MMA & the ‘stepping stone’ dilemma
Cedric predicts full MMA legalization in France and expects the UFC to arrive soon. Joe raises the concern that elite kickboxers moving to MMA could make kickboxing feel secondary; Cedric responds with how strikers can adapt if they master wrestling fundamentals.
- 15:37 – 17:00
Building the grappling base: luta livre, Paris training, and AKA reality checks
Cedric explains his grappling training style in France and how it differs from typical BJJ class structure. He then describes training at American Kickboxing Academy, where he’s elite on the feet but taps frequently on the ground—while learning quickly.
- 17:00 – 25:53
Timeline to the UFC: dream matchups and ‘shock the world’ entry
Cedric lays out a one-year preparation window while finishing his Glory contract, then an immediate UFC push. He names high-profile opponents like Nate Diaz or Anthony Pettis as a statement debut, aiming for maximum impact and credibility.
- 25:53 – 33:53
A unique approach: conditioning-first, no kickboxing coach, and DIY camps
Cedric explains that conditioning used to be his weakness because he often finished fights early. He now trains strength and conditioning daily in camp, reveals he effectively coaches himself for kickboxing, and details his path through Holland/Belgium to find high-level mentorship.
- 33:53 – 43:25
Comedy, acting aspirations, and the personal origin story
The conversation shifts to Cedric’s creative side—stand-up comedy and acting—plus how kickboxing ‘found’ him after soccer. He shares how his mother initially opposed fighting, how he trained in secret, and how his family’s hardship fuels his mindset.
- 43:25 – 1:22:45
Fight talk & industry detours: Nabiev KO breakdown, legends, and crossover debates
They revisit Cedric’s knockout of Alim Nabiev and discuss how he sets traps and peaks in round two. The back half branches into kickboxing icons (Holzken, Rico, Badr Hari), Conor McGregor controversies, and why boxers struggle under kickboxing rules (e.g., Masato vs. Vince Phillips).
