Sedriques Dumas: Pensacola’s First UFC Fighter on Sacrifice, Purpose, and Carrying the City Forward
- Austin Jones
- 10 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Sedriques Dumas: Pensacola’s First UFC Fighter on Sacrifice, Purpose, and Carrying the City Forward
Pensacola has produced greatness before. From Roy Jones Jr. to legends forged outside the spotlight, the city has never lacked talent. But when Sedriques Dumas steps into the UFC Octagon, he does so carrying something new. He is Pensacola’s first and only UFC fighter and to him, that means responsibility.
“It means a lot to me,” Dumas says. “To be representing a place where a Hall of Famer like Roy Jones came from. I want to bring that fire and excitement back to the city."
That sense of duty is not symbolic. It’s personal.
Representing More Than Himself
Every fight carries weight, but for Dumas, each walk to the cage is about more than wins and losses.
“Yes,” he says when asked if he feels responsibility representing Pensacola. “That’s why it hurts to lose. I want my city to see I represented them.”
More than accolades, Dumas wants Pensacola known for belief. Not just belief in fighting, but belief in possibility.
“We can all make it,” he says. “You just got to put your mind to it.”
The Lonely Road Before the Spotlight
The UFC lights don’t show the years before the contract. For Dumas, that road was isolating and unforgiving.
“Being broke. Being alone. Not knowing nothing,” he says. “Having people tell you to give up this dream.”
But quitting was never an option.
“Never,” he says flatly.
Support came from those closest to him. Blood family and chosen family alike.
“Family. Blood or not blood. They had my belief.”
The sacrifices were real and heavy. Jobless. Homeless. Navigating situations he admits he had no business being in. But each hardship forged resolve.
Inside the Cage: Focus Over Fear
Fight week, for Dumas, isn’t chaos. It’s clarity.
“To me, just be happy.”
When the cage door closes, something sharpens.
“My focus.”
Pressure doesn’t overwhelm him. He doesn’t romanticize it.
“Don’t worry about it. Just beat them and keep fighting.”
One area he believes fans still underestimate is his Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
“My submission game,” Dumas explains. “I’m very good on my back. I’m a purple belt, but I’ve rolled with high level black belts and brown belts.”
It’s a quiet confidence built through work, not noise.
Beyond Fighting: Fatherhood and Perspective
Outside the cage, Dumas is grounded in simple realities.
“Being a dad. Understanding life.”
He enjoys games, food, music, walks, and time with his kids. MMA doesn’t consume his identity. It informs it.
Fighting has changed how he sees life.
“You must set yourself to show growth in life.”
When attention grows loud, he remembers who was there at the beginning and refocuses on what matters.
“Go handle my job.”
Growth Through Adversity
MMA taught him discipline and accountability because without them, everything collapses.
“Anything can fall without discipline and accountability.”
Criticism doesn’t shake him.
“I laugh it off.”
Losses taught him empathy.
“Never judge nobody, because nobody wants to lose.”
Since joining the UFC, maturity became unavoidable.
“I see things differently now. Being consistent. Being professional. Being respectful. Understanding anything can happen to people in life. That maturity really grew me up.”
Giving Back to Pensacola
Dumas speaks directly to kids watching from where he once stood.
“Be great. Never let nobody take your path to get what you want.”
His advice to anyone trying to escape hard circumstances is simple and honest.
“Stay focused.”
Representation matters deeply to him.
“Very beautiful,” he says about kids seeing someone from their own city make it. “It shows you can make your life better.”
Legacy and What Comes Next
When his fighting career ends, Dumas wants to be remembered one way.
“As a warrior.”
Beyond wins, he’s chasing growth. Perspective. Becoming great in training and in life.
A championship would break him emotionally.
“I would cry.”
And the message he leaves with Pensacola is the same one he’s lived by.
“We can all make it.”
Rapid Fire
Walkout music: Larry June – I’m HimF
avorite cheat meal: Noodles and chips
Hardest opponent so far: All
Dream fight: Bo Nickal
One word to describe Pensacola: Unique
One word to describe his fighting style: Very Relentless
Sedriques Dumas isn’t just fighting for contracts or rankings. He’s fighting for belief. For Pensacola. For the kids watching, wondering if greatness can come from where they are.
It can.
Stay tuned to see what's next for Pensacola's Sedriques Dumas
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By Austin Jones — CMO & Lead Editor at FIGHT.TV
Austin Jones is a business strategist and combat sports expert. As Chief Marketing Officer and Lead Editor at FIGHT.TV, he covers everything from behind the scenes controversies to dynamic industry breakdowns of promotions, to the satirical side of fight culture. He is also the founder of Business Goals Group LLC, a marketing and consulting powerhouse that provides businesses with expert guidance.
