Despite having one of the most eye-catching fight styles on the regional circuit with a huge opportunity in front of him, the heartrate has barely jumped a tick for Sedriques Dumas.
After four of the greatest UFC Fight Pass finishes and one of the most unexpectedly dominant ground performances in recent memory, Dumas has every reason to be jumping for joy at the fact that he’s carved out a place for himself on Dana White’s Contender Series. He understands the opportunity in front of him, but is still as mellow as he was the first day he set foot in a gym.
He sets his excitement level at like, a two but makes it clear it’s not because he’s not excited for the opportunity. He’s simply more excited about the actual fighting than the business end of the sport.
Just knowing I get to fight another person gets me excited, Dumas said. I get in my head, then I get excited, then I start imagining what I’m going to do, then I just have fun and it gets me excited. Sometimes I scream and shout.
With the laid-back personality of a post-show Redman, the flash of Sean O’Malley, the thirst for blood of Robbie Lawler and the power of a small vehicle, Dumas really doesn’t have much adrenaline left for outside the cage.
Other middleweights shouldn’t take his kindness for weakness, though. Dumas would have no problem turning on the jets if disrespected. The 26-year-old has never gone into a fight with disdain for his opponent and expects the same from his opponents. It’s about money and it’s about competing. Cross the line and Dumas has a stern warning.
“I bring the fight, I bring the fans, I bring what you need me to bring, but you ain’t fitting to get in my face and try to showboat in front of the people because if you put your hands on me before the fight, I’ll slap the sh-t outta ya,” Dumas said. “We’re going to keep it PG, but there are certain lines you don’t cross with me because I will beat the dog sh-t out of you.”
The 6-0 prospect guarantees a win, guarantees a show and guarantees a contract, whether he’s dismissive of the business end of the opportunity or not. He’s not one to ask for favors but does have one request after he imprints his name in Dana White’s head.
“I just want to know, can you guys tell Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa that I’m going to be in Vegas?”
This story first published at UFC.com.
