Only the Beginning for Marc Diakiese

After a seven-year run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Marc Diakiese finds himself on the brink of his Bellator MMA debut. He signed with the Professional Fighters League after parting ways with the UFC and faces Tim Wilde in a Bellator Champions Series 5 lightweight showcase on Saturday at the OVO Arena Wembley in London. At 31 years of age and 24 fights into his pro career, Diakiese believes he may just be getting off the ground.

“I feel like I just hit my prime,” he told Sherdog.com. “I’m grateful to Bellator for giving me a platform to really showcase my skill, for giving me everything I need as a fighter to promote me and put me out there. I feel I still have a lot to show. I’ve not really started yet. For me now, it’s just climbing that ladder.”

Diakiese enters his clash against Wilde with an eye toward competing in the PFL regular season in 2025 and vying for a title, along with a seven-figure payday.

“I was signed to PFL, but they put me on a Bellator card,” he said. “My goal is to [become champion and] get that $1 million. I’m the type of guy that feels I got loads to show. I feel I’ve got a lot to show in my style, especially. I’ve learned a lot wrestling-wise. I literally just put my game together, and I’m out there to put on a show that people know me for.”

The PFL format intrigues Diakiese.

“It’s not political,” he said. “You know you got to go there and win your fight to get to where you want to get to. Instead of thinking you need to talk on the mic or promote, here, it’s just train and do your job. It makes things much easier. As fighters, we go through a lot as it is already, so when you’re trying to do your best and you have to promote and do other things, it makes things very difficult. Here, you know what you have to do: Go out there and get wins.”

While Diakiese was complimentary toward Wilde, the former British Association of Mixed Martial Arts champion believes he has many more tools with which to work.

“I’m actually shocked it’s not a co-main [event]. I feel like it should’ve been,” he said. “Tim is a smart fighter, and I’ve known him for a while. For some reason, I saw him fight back in the BAMMA days, but we didn’t get to cross paths. I just feel I’m on a different level when it comes to him. I’ve faced different opponents. Skill-wise, he’s good, but for me, I just got that bang in me. When I hit, I’ve got power. Physically, I’m strong. It should be an interesting matchup, not just for the fans but myself also. I really want to see where I’m at. I feel like I’ve evolved as a fighter. I’m looking forward to it.”

Wilde has lost just once in his past seven appearances. The 37-year-old Wolverhampton, England, native has delivered nearly half (eight) of his 17 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. Nevertheless, Diakiese thinks a wide gap in skill exists between them.

“I’m taking this fight very seriously because Tim is the type of fighter that if you let him, he’ll steal a fight away from you by jabbing and moving around,” he said. “I’m prepared for that. I’m trying to go out there and put on a performance of the night, trying to take him out as soon as I can. He’s a great opponent. I just feel like I’m better.”