Days ago, Paris reminded the world why it is considered one of the greatest live crowds in combat sports, leaving WWE athletes spellbound by the ovations they received at La Défense Arena.
The same scenes have become commonplace since UFC first docked in the City of Light in 2022. That September night, the world witnessed the audience at Accor Arena spontaneously burst into renditions of “La Marseillaise” as French fighters went about their business in the Octagon.
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Many international locations seem to respond exclusively to the famed three letter banner of the world’s flagship mixed martial arts promotion, but the French have shown up in droves for PFL events across the country, highlighting the hardcore fandom that exists in the land.
A nod to the thriving regional scene, ARES Fighting Championship has become a massive success, producing a number of fighters now in the UFC. ARES was the last port of call for headliner Nassourdine Imavov, who headlines Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event opposite Caio Borralho. Similarly, debutant Axel Sola cultivated a large regional following through his championship run with the promotion, which helped him in his quest to sign on the dotted line with the UFC.
Unlike many of the U.K. events in recent years, Saturday’s Paris card represents the European continent far more than just one nation. Caposa, MMA’s online oracle, first alerted me to the amount of European champions that will compete on the card. After taking a closer look, it appears the UFC have assembled a continental “Night of Champions” for the event (to borrow a phrase from the aforementioned WWE). It’s a perfect tribute to a city which I believe has become the capital of European mixed martial arts.
UFC Paris headliner Nassourdine Imavov began his pro career in France, and now fights in the main event of a Fight Night event that brings together some of Europe’s top talent.
(FAYEZ NURELDINE via Getty Images)
Night of Champions
As Caposa’s post highlighted, Cage Warriors featherweight king Harry Hardwick is the latest regional champion to be announced for the event. Along with his brother, George, Hardwick has cultivated a cult following in Middlesborough, but he’s not the only former Cage Warriors star slated to perform.
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The first promotional double champion since Conor McGregor, Mason Jones, makes the second walk of his UFC tenure, following his decision win over Jeremy Stephens. Modestas Bukauskas, former light heavyweight champion of the Graham Boylan promotion, is also in action on the night. One of the few fighters to ever win titles with both BAMMA and Cage Warriors, Rhys McKee will look to make it back-to-back wins in Paris. The now defunct BAMMA banner is also represented by former light heavyweight champion Paul Craig.
European representation stretches far beyond France, the U.K. and Ireland, with Croatian heavyweight and PFL tournament winner Ante Delija set to make his promotional debut. KSW featherweight champion Robert Ruchała is also primed for his first walk, while his countryman Robert Bryczek — champion in the lesser known FEN organization — will look to bounce back from his loss to Ihor Potieria.
The most tenured member of the Polish contingent, Marcin Tybura, brings his background as M-1 Global’s heavyweight champion to the party. Czech powerhouse Oktagon is not only represented by Bryczek, but by double champion and surging knockout artist Losene Keita, the most highly touted prospect to make the transition from the promotion. His fellow Belgian, Bolaji Oki, was also a titleholder during his time at Atomic FC, a promotion that hasn’t hosted an event since 2023.
Champion vs. champion
The MMA world never tires of endlessly discussing champion versus champion bouts. PFL president Donn Davis recently claimed that ONE turned down an offer of a cross-promotional champion showdown, and has previously discussed aspirations to stir up a similar situation with UFC. Back in 2003, it was Dana White who was sticking his finger in the chest of the biggest dog on the yard, Pride, by bringing Chuck Liddell to Japan to test his mettle against the stars of the day.
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While they may not pack the same punch as a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou marquee in terms of star power, there are a host of meetings that will pit champions from previous promotions against each other, which will be music to diehard fans’ ears.
Oktagon double champion Keita will take on Bellator double champion Patricio Pitbull. Bukauskas and Craig will face off in a Cage Warriors vs. BAMMA clash. Representing both U.K. promotions, Rhys McKee will welcome ARES champion Sola to the big leagues. Atomic champion Oki has the unenviable task of claiming a win against Cage Warriors double champion, Jones. M-1 Global’s former heavyweight champ Tybura will welcome PFL tournament champ and European stalwart Delija to the UFC fray.
Some 15 years ago, fighters from the U.K. and Ireland would often rub their hands together in anticipatory glee when pitted against French opposition. Mixed martial arts was illegal in the country until 2020, forcing French fighters to train and compete under hybrid rulesets, which was perceived to give their European counterparts an edge.
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It’s a testament to the fanbase and the those involved in the MMA community how far the scene has come in five years. Once the butt of punchlines for the continent, France now hosts a showcase of champions that grafted through the European scene to make it to the biggest stage in the sport.
