Sadibou Sy Bio
Sadibou Sy is a Swedish mixed martial artist competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League. Born on November 27, 1986, in Stockholm, Sweden, Sy has developed a reputation for his dynamic fighting style and resilience despite early career vision challenges.
Early Life and Background
Sadibou Sy was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, in a large family with six siblings. He initially pursued football before transitioning to martial arts during his teenage years. Sy began training at Wasa Martial Arts Center, focusing on kickboxing and Thai boxing. From age 13 until 2017, he struggled with limited vision, having only 20 to 40 percent sight, which was later improved to about 80 percent with contact lenses.
Throughout his early years, Sy balanced various jobs while dedicating himself to martial arts training. He currently trains at the Martial Arts Lab in Östermalm, Stockholm, where he also works as a personal trainer. His goal is to focus fully on his MMA career to secure better pay and sponsorships.
Path to MMA
Before entering MMA, Sadibou Sy achieved success in kickboxing and Muay Thai. He won the ISKA World Championship titles in 2008 and 2010 and claimed the World Championship and World Championship (B) in Thai boxing in 2010. Sy also captured the WKN Oriental rules Cruiserweight title in 2012 by unanimous decision.
Sy began his MMA career in the Stockholm-based International Ring Fight Arena, compiling a 2–1 record before joining Superior Challenge. He gained attention with a first-round TKO victory over Carl Booth and a viral head-kick knockout against David Round. Sy continued to build his record with notable wins, establishing himself as a rising talent in the sport.
Sadibou Sy Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Sadibou Sy started his professional MMA career in 2013, competing primarily in Swedish organizations. He demonstrated early promise with several knockout and submission victories. His striking background from kickboxing and Muay Thai translated well into MMA, helping him secure a series of wins and build momentum.
During this period, Sy developed his skills and gained valuable experience, fighting a variety of opponents and refining his approach. His performances in Superior Challenge events brought him wider recognition and set the stage for his move to larger promotions.
Professional Fighters League Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Sadibou Sy joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2018 with a 6–2 record, aiming for the $1 million prize. He debuted against Bruno Santos but lost by unanimous decision. Sy rebounded with a first-round head kick knockout over Caio Magalhães, earning a playoff spot. Despite a draw with Santos in the playoffs, he was eliminated after losing to Abusupiyan Magomedov.
In 2019, Sy opened the season with a 17-second liver kick knockout of David Michaud but was later eliminated in the playoffs after a draw with Ray Cooper III. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, but Sy returned in 2021 with a unanimous decision win over Alexey Kunchenko. He reached the semifinals but lost to Magomed Magomedkerimov.
Sy’s 2022 season was highlighted by a split decision win over Nikolay Aleksakhin and a unanimous decision upset over Rory MacDonald. He advanced to the finals after defeating Carlos Leal and won the $1 million prize by unanimous decision at PFL 10. In 2023, Sy continued his strong form with knockout victories and a split decision win over Leal in the semifinals, before losing to Magomedkerimov in the finals.
In 2024, Sy moved up to Light Heavyweight but faced setbacks including a technical knockout loss due to injury. He rebounded with a third-round TKO win over Andrew Sanchez. Looking ahead to 2025, Sy joined the PFL Middleweight Tournament but was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Sadibou Sy is known for his striking prowess, combining kickboxing and Muay Thai techniques with effective knockout power. His long reach and height advantage allow him to control distance and execute precise strikes. Sy’s resilience and adaptability have been key in his progression through competitive MMA ranks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sy’s career highlights include his viral head-kick knockout at Superior Challenge, multiple PFL playoff appearances, and winning the 2022 PFL Welterweight Championship with a $1 million prize. His comeback wins and ability to overcome vision challenges early in his career underscore his determination and skill.
Sadibou Sy Career Wins
Sadibou Sy has amassed a professional MMA record featuring 17 wins out of 29 fights. His victories include knockouts, submissions, and decisions, showcasing a well-rounded skill set across multiple weight divisions.
Professional Fighters League Highlights
In the PFL, Sy has secured numerous impressive wins, including knockout victories over Caio Magalhães and David Michaud, as well as decision wins against top contenders like Rory MacDonald and Carlos Leal. His 2022 championship run remains a career-defining achievement.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to joining PFL, Sy earned titles in kickboxing and Muay Thai, including ISKA World Championships and the WKN Oriental Cruiserweight title. His early MMA career in Swedish promotions featured notable knockouts and submission wins that built his reputation.
Sadibou Sy Family
Family Background and Heritage
Sadibou Sy has Senegalese roots and grew up in a large family in Stockholm, Sweden. Details about his parents and siblings are limited, but his upbringing in a supportive environment contributed to his athletic development.
Personal Life
Sy maintains a private personal life with no publicly available information about a spouse or children. He resides in Stockholm, where he balances training and personal commitments.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Sadibou Sy entered the PFL Middleweight Tournament aiming to add another title to his career. He faced Dalton Rosta in the quarterfinals but was defeated via submission. Sy continues to train with Xtreme Couture and aims to refine his skills for future competition.
His focus remains on overcoming challenges and pursuing success in multiple weight divisions within the PFL. Sy’s resilience and experience position him as a notable competitor in the upcoming seasons.