Why 2022 PFL welterweight champ Sadibou Sy moved to light heavyweight for upcoming season

Sadibou Sy cashed a $1 millon prize for winning the PFL welterweight championship in 2022. This year, he will hunt for another seven-figure payday in a much heavier division.

For Sy, a 37-year-old, 6-foot-3 fighter, making 170 pounds was not easy. Having to complete that weight cut four times in seven months due to the PFL’s regular and postseason schedule made things that much worse. Even though Sy reached the end goal in 2022 by winning the championship and nearly went back-to-back in 2023, he will not put his body through that process again in 2024 as he jumps to the light heavyweight division.

“It wasn’t much of a discussion,” Sy told reporters when asked about changing weight classes. “I’ve been in 170 for a couple of years. First two seasons was pretty easy, and then it just became harder and harder to make weight – and I became better and better, so I fight longer and longer in the season, so it’s more weight cuts, less recovery time between. So, it was just grueling cutting 30-35 pounds each fight. So now, a lot more fun.”

Light heavyweight will be the third division Sy has competed in under the PFL banner. He entered the promotion at middleweight in 2018 and then switched to welterweight the following season.

Sy really hit his stride in 2022, winning all four bouts, including a win over Dilano Taylor to capture the championship. In 2023, Sy ripped through the regular season with two finishes, followed by a split decision in the first playoff bout, but lost to Magomed Magomedkerimov in the championship bout.

Admittedly, Sy said he was not sure if he would have moved to light heavyweight if he had won a second consecutive title, but that is the decision he has made now.

Sy will begin his 2024 season on April 12 against Josh Silveira. Silveira competed for the light heavyweight championship last season but lost to Impa Kasanganay. Sy is excited to challenge himself right out of the gate, and getting to experience different looks.

“I love it,” Sy said. “It was a long time since I fought a southpaw, so I’m very excited to do that. For me, it’s fun to come into the division and actually face a guy that’s been proven in the division. I think that’s going to tell a lot of people where I’m at, because when people found out that I was going to move to 170, everyone was like, ‘Why? What are you doing?’ Just wait and see.”