World
Swedish PFL champ Sadibou Sy is back, hungrier than ever: “This fight will be a statement”
Sadibou Sy. Photo via Instagram (PFL)
Last year, Swedish striking sensation Sadibou Sy wrote history as the first Swede to ever win a PFL world championship.
By defeating Nikolay Aleksakhin, Rory MacDonald, Carlos Leal – and finally Dilano Taylor in the finals – he laid his hands on the welterweight strap, as well as the $1 million prize.
On April 14, the Swede will be back in business to kick off the 2023 PFL season with a fight against Jarrah Al-Silawi.
In an exclusive interview with Frontkick.online, the welterweight champion opens up on starting a new chapter in PFL.
“Al-Silawi is a good matchup for me and I see things and tendencies I can capitalize on,” Sy says. “My speed and reach will make the difference. This fight will be a statement for the rest of the division if I play my cards right.”
Do you feel like a defending champion or like you’re starting the 2023 season from scratch?
“That’s a good question! Neither of them really. I won the tournament last year, but that won’t help me now. In some way it gives me an advantage since the rest of them are chasing me now, and that triggers me. I have the same mindset that made me win in 2022 – just keep on evolving and get better as a fighter.”
Sadibou Sy is hungrier than ever
As Sadibou Sy is about the enter the new season – just four months after winning the title in November – he has the hunger of a fighter who competes for more than money and titles.
“Winning the last season was a milestone in my career, but it was not my biggest goal or the reason I started fighting in the first place. My goal has always been to push myself to see how far I can go. Every day I’m growing as a fighter, and I’m still to reach my prime.”
The 36-year-old describes himself as a nerd when it comes to fighting. A nerd who loves reaping the fruits of his labor, after months and months of hard work.
When you are talking to Sy you realize he has an almost philosophical perspective on fighting.
“When I’m done as a fighter, I don’t want to look back at my career with any regrets. I’m in a privileged position, I live in Vegas and fight for life-changing money. I have a real possibility to challenge myself.”
“I won four straight fights last year. This season I want to finish all the fights. There are always things you can do better.”
Sadibou Sy. Photo via PFL (Twitter)
“That’s when it really landed”
When Sadibou Sy became the PFL welterweight champion it gained a lot of attention both in Sweden and abroad. However, it took the newly crowned champion a few weeks to realize the magnitude of what he accomplished.
“It was when I visited Senegal and had a meeting with the Minister of Sports. He told me that the whole country, from the President to the Primeminister, were proud of what I’ve done and that they stood behind me. That’s when it really landed.”
“They know I have plans of doing things in Senegal in the future. When we had that meeting, it hit me that winning the PFL was huge. The finals was just another fight that I had to win, and the cash prize changed my life too, but I didn’t feel it right away. It took a while.”
Do you think more or less about the paycheck ahead of this season?
“Pretty much the same this time. I mean, that kind of money makes a big difference in your life, it’s hard to get around that fact. But ahead of this season it’s more about making a name for myself in the sport, to be able to do things when my fighting career is over. Maybe I will start a gym in Sweden or Senegal,” Sy says.
“I don’t think more or less about the money this time. I just focus on my next opponent, I never look past anyone.”
