MMA - Marc Diakiese: "Why I left the UFC for the PFL"

Sport News Africa : Marc Diakiese, we're meeting you in Kinshasa. What is the purpose of your visit here?

Marc Diakiese : I came to run an MMA seminar for young amateurs of the sport in the DRC. I came to teach them fighting techniques, how to protect the body, physical conditioning and other things. I also shared my experience with them.

When did you start practising MMA?

I really started practising MMA in England at the age of 18. I'm 31 now.

Were you born in England?

No, I was born in Kinshasa and I moved to England when I was 12. That's where the coaches, spotting my talent, guided me from the age of 18. MMA taught me discipline because I was very unruly.

You moved to England very young and have lived outside the DRC for a long time. Do you still represent the DRC, or have you changed nationality?

I got a British passport to make things easier in certain respects. But at every fight I'm introduced as a Congolese living in England.

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When did you begin your professional career?

I turned professional at the age of 19. As an amateur I had 9 fights, which I won. I was three-time champion of England and it had become difficult to find opponents because everyone was afraid of me. So my team and I decided that I should turn professional.

How many fights do you have as a professional?

I have 24 fights, with 17 wins and 7 losses.

How many fights in the UFC?

15 fights in the UFC, with 8 wins and 7 losses, before leaving the UFC for the PFL.

Why did you choose to leave the UFC for the PFL?

It was a choice I made. I found that the PFL has certain advantages that the UFC doesn't. The PFL is opening up to Africa and has good projects. The PFL is looking for African athletes. Francis Nganou is there, and I know that with the PFL I will help several Congolese to join the organisation.

Was it not possible to bring in other Africans at the UFC?

At the UFC it's almost impossible. Before joining the UFC you have to have already proved yourself elsewhere. But with the PFL, since I'm already known, I can act as an intermediary between the organisation and athletes from my country, for example.

The UFC is the biggest MMA organisation in the world. Did you reach the level of fighting for the belt?

At the UFC you face athletes from all over the world. There are the rankings. It's hard to get to the belt. I didn't reach that level. I could have waited, but I decided to leave.

Did you leave because the level was higher than yours?

No, it's not that. I faced good-quality athletes and I beat them. But I want to earn money too when I fight.

So did you leave the UFC for financial reasons?

Not really. It's a matter of the project. I fight and I do something else for the future, after my career. With the PFL, after my career I can do other things, working with young Congolese.

How many fights have you already had in the PFL?

Just one fight, which I won. From next March, we will have a series of fights, with a jackpot of one million dollars at the end if you win 4 fights, at the rate of one fight every 3 months.

Like you, Francis Ngannou moved from the UFC to the PFL. What relationship do you have? Did he influence your choice?

Francis Ngannou and I have a good relationship. I knew him before he became the megastar he is today. When I go to Las Vegas, I stay at his place. Before he left the UFC he was already talking to me, asking me to join the PFL because of the project. I wasn't listening, but now I understand. Francis Ngannou inspired me with his journey.

How do you rate the level of MMA in the DRC?

The level is still low, but the coaches here are doing everything they can to improve it.

Do you have projects for the DRC?

My hope is that one day there will be a major promotion and a big MMA club in the DRC where good athletes can be found. I can't do everything alone, but I can help make it happen.