Cyrille Diabaté

At a glance

• Four time Muay Thai world champion before moving to MMA
• Fought in Pride, the UFC, Cage Rage and DEEP
• Founded the Snake Team in 1999

Overview

Cyrille Diabaté was born on October 6, 1973, in La Celle-Saint-Cloud, outside Paris. He won four Muay Thai world titles before moving to MMA, where he fought in Pride, the UFC, Cage Rage and DEEP. He was among the first French fighters to compete in those promotions.

In 1999 he founded the Snake Team, his team and gym. He also coached in the United States, working with Dan Henderson and Team Quest. According to the Baba Versus podcast, he played a part in getting MMA legalized in France.

What you'll find

Diabaté regularly appears in French media to talk about the history of MMA in France. RMC Sport Combat devoted an episode of its series “Le Vestiaire” to him around UFC Paris. In September 2025 he was the guest on the final episode of Baba Diagne's podcast Baba Versus, which profiled French combat sports legends.

The Snake Team website presents the gym, based in Épinay-sur-Seine north of Paris, and its programs: MMA, grappling, striking and wrestling, with classes for beginners, competitors, women and kids. That is your starting point if you want to train with him or follow what the organization he built is doing. It is also where you can check the team's current training schedule and contact details before you visit.

Why follow

Few people lived through the history of MMA in France as closely. Diabaté fought in the big promotions at a time when MMA was not allowed in France, then contributed to the push that led to its legalization. When he talks about that era, you understand where today's French fighters come from.

His time with Team Quest and his work with Henderson also give him firsthand knowledge of high level American MMA. His appearances blend experience from Muay Thai, MMA competition and coaching, which makes them useful for fans and practitioners alike. For an American fan, he is a direct link between the Pride era and the current wave of French fighters in the UFC.

MMA Official's take

This is for fans who want the history of French MMA and for practitioners interested in how Muay Thai shaped the sport, provided they understand French. Start with the final Baba Versus episode, where he looks back at his career and at legalization. Then watch the “Le Vestiaire” episode RMC Sport Combat made about him around UFC Paris.