2023-12-15 13:32:19
In Paris, Poland or the United States, MMA fights will take place across the four corners of the world this weekend. Whether it’s the ARES (Friday evening at the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan in Levallois-Perret), the Cage Warriors (Friday evening in San Diego), the KSW (Saturday evening in Gliwice, Poland) or the UFC (Saturday evening in Las Vegas), several organizations have put together a gala to the delight of fans.
But how to navigate all these organizations? There are many acronyms and we don’t always know what’s behind them. Where are these leagues held? Who are the stars? Who dominates the market? We take stock.
UFC, le leader
It is, without a doubt, the leading MMA league in the world. Created 30 years ago to allow representatives of different martial arts to compete, the UFC is at the origin of the current fame of the discipline. All the greatest champions dream of entering there and becoming the champion. Islam Makhachev, Jon Jones and Alexander Volkanovski reign supreme for the moment.
The French Ciryl Gane and Benoît Saint-Denis stand out there. Leader on the market, the American organization could nevertheless fall from a height, a class action for unfair competition having been filed. Even if the outcome is still uncertain, the league continues to shine, attract all eyes and pocket millions of euros.
Created in November 1993
President: Dana White
Country: United States
Stars (past or current): Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, Ciryl Gane, Benoît Saint-Denis, Manon Fiorot
PFL, the ambitious
The PFL, where Cédric Doumbè shone last September, wants to match the UFC. Icon Sport/Anthony Dibon
“There is only one step left before the PFL (Professional Fighters League) becomes the co-leader of MMA globally. » Donn Davis, president of the PFL, does not hide his ambitions. The American league has also bought one of its competitors, Bellator, a sign that the means are almost unlimited.
It is also thanks to his money that the PFL convinced several big names to join it, such as Francis Ngannou, Derek Brunson or the Frenchman Cédric Doumbè. To stand out, the organization chose a different approach to the UFC, including a million-dollar tournament for the winner and regional leagues.
Created in 2017
Founder and President: Donn Davis
Country: United States
Stars (past or current): Cédric Doumbè, Francis Ngannou, Derek Brunson
Bellator, soon to disappear
If the end of Bellator is near, the American organization remains one of the most historically important. The league led by Scott Coker is also the first international to come to France, in October 2020. Like the PFL, Bellator has chosen to organize tournaments, with four fights to win to win the coveted title. and a large check.
Before disappearing, Bellator will still organize a few galas, including an evening where its champions will face those of the PFL to determine the belt holders of the future merged organization.
Created in 2008
Director: Scott Coker
Country: United States
Stars (past or current): Gegard Mousasi, Usman Nurmagomedov, Yoel Romero, Michael Chandler, Cheick Kongo
Cage Warriors, provider of champions
The British organization is considered the antechamber of the UFC, the place where the American league comes to unearth the best international talents. Several Cage Warriors champions have also had UFC belts around their waists, like Conor McGregor or Michael Bisping.
Several French people also distinguished themselves there, such as Morgan Charrière and Karl Amoussou. Little known to the general public, although broadcast on RMC Sport, the British league has a very clear DNA: focusing on young people and helping them progress. A largely successful challenge.
Created in 2001
President: Graham Boylan
Country: Great Britain
Stars (past or current): Michael Bisping, Conor McGregor, Morgan Charrière, Joanna Jedrzejczyk
KSW, European leader
Salahdine Parnasse became a star in Poland thanks to KSW. Sports Press/Alexis Goudeau
In Poland too, the French shine. This Saturday evening, the prodigy from Aubervilliers, Salahdine Parnasse, will also tackle a crazy challenge: winning a third title in a third weight category. And he’s not going to do it in just any organization, because the KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, martial arts confrontations in French) is the most prestigious league in Europe.
Since its inception in 2004, several famous fighters have been KSW champions. This is particularly the case of Jan Blachowicz, who is currently in the UFC, like Dricus du Plessis and Mateusz Gamrot. In April, the organization should arrive in France for the first time, which is rarely exported outside Poland.
Created in 2004
Founder: Martin Lewandowski
Country: Poland
Stars (past or current): Mateusz Gamrot, Salahdine Parnasse, Jan Blachowicz, Dricus du Plessis
One Championship, refuge of former champions
It resembles the organization of fighters at the end of their career, but it is no less interesting and attractive. Created in 2011, the One Championship has welcomed some great champions. The most famous of them is undoubtedly Demetrious Johnson, current flyweight champion and UFC legend.
The largest league in Asia, One also offers Muay Thai, kickboxing and grappling fights. The incredible Rodtang Jitmuangnon, with his 324 fights under his belt at just 26 years old, is one of the other stars of this league.
Created in 2011
Founder: Chatri Sityodtong
Country: Singapore
Stars (past or current): Eddie Alvarez, Demetrious Johnson
ARES, dominant in France
ARES is currently the dominant league in France. Icon Sport/Sandra Ruhaut
MMA took a long time to arrive in France. Only legalized in January 2020, the discipline was only able to develop at that time. Since then, several organizations have been born, and ARES is perhaps the most renowned. From its first event, its director, Fernand Lopez, also owner of the MMA Factory and trainer of numerous fighters, brought together the best French talents.
Nassourdine Imavov, Taylor Lapilus, Abdoul Abdouraguimov, Baysangour “Baki” Chamsoudinov and Mickaël Lebout all fought with gloves stamped “ARES”. This Friday, the French organization is organizing its 18th event, at the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan, with three titles at stake.
Created in 2020
Director: Fernand Lopez
Country: France
Stars (past or current): Baysangur “Baki” Chamsoudinov, Taylor Lapilus, Mickael Lebout, Nassourdine Imavov
Hexagon MMA, in search of a name
It’s the league that’s on the rise in France. In July 2021, brothers Jérôme and Laurent Pourrut decided to launch their organization and immediately focus on legendary arenas. In just two and a half years, Hexagone MMA has installed its octagon at the Zénith de Paris, the Futuroscope, the Arènes de Béziers and the Théâtre Antique d’Orange.
The fighters are also carefully chosen, including famous athletes outside their discipline such as YouTubers Greg MMA and Ibra TV. The first, who came out of retirement after 17 years of absence, will fight for the second time next January in the Hexagone MMA cage.
Created in 2021
Founders: Jérôme and Laurent Pourrut
Country: France
Stars (past or current): Greg MMA, Ibra TV, Grégory Babene
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