MMA Grand Prix, often abbreviated MMA GP, is a professional mixed martial arts promotion based in Vitry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France.[1]
 | |
| Sport | Mixed martial arts |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020[1] |
| Founder | Abdel Khaznadji Éric Konako Faubert[2][3] |
| Owner(s) | Fight Sport Management[4] |
| Headquarters | Vitry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France[1] |
| TV partner(s) | Sport en France RMC Sport |
| Official website | mmagrandprix.com |
History edit
MMA Grand Prix was created in 2020, upon the legalization of MMA's internationally accepted rules (which include ground strikes) by the French government. Their first card was held on 8 October of that year, in presence of French Minister of Sports Roxana Maracineanu.[5] It was the first organization to present MMA in France under its complete ruleset.[4] It is sanctioned by the French Mixed Martial Arts Federation, a subsidiary of the French Boxing Federation, which has been accredited by the Ministry of Sports to regulate the activity.[6]
Co-founder Éric Konako Faubert is a London-based promoter for Muay Thai Grand Prix, an international thai boxing promotion, with whom MMA Grand Prix shares common branding.[2]
The promotion's first card held outside of the Paris region, The Last of the Kings in Le Havre, featured a comeback fight from veteran kickboxer turned mixed martial artist Jérome Le Banner. It served as a tribute to Le Banner's training partner and Le Havre mayor Édouard Philippe who, during his term as prime minister, was responsible for the legalization of French MMA.[7][8] It was Le Banner's first MMA fight outside of Japan.[9]
Champions edit
Current MMA Grand Prix champions edit
| Men's division | Upper weight limit | Champion | Since | Title Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Heavyweight | 205 lb (93.0 kg) |  Mohamed Said Maalem
|
Sep 16, 2023 | 0 |
| Lightweight | 154 lb (69.9 kg) |  Keweney Lopes
|
Jan 27, 2024 | 0 |
| Featherweight | 145 lb (65.8 kg) | Vacant | N/A | N/A |
| Bantamweight | 135 lb (61.2 kg) |  Alfan Rocher-Labes
|
Sep 16, 2023 | 0 |
| Flyweight | 125 lb (56.7 kg) | Michael Aljarouj
|
Mar 4, 2023 | 1 |
Light Heavyweight Championship edit
- Weight limit: 205 lb (93.0 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohamed Said Maalem def. Yann Kouadja |
MMA GP: Kouadja vs Maalem Le Grand-Saconnex, France |
Sep 16, 2023 |
Lightweight Championship edit
- Weight limit: 154 lb (69.9 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keweney Lopes def. Mathias Poiron |
JSC 1 Nimas, France |
Jan 27, 2024 |
Featherweight Championship edit
- Weight limit: 145 lb (65.8 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alioune Nahaye def. Ariston França |
MMA Grand Prix 4 Paris, France |
Oct 14, 2021 | |
| Nahaye vacated. | ||||
Bantamweight Championship edit
- Weight limit: 135 lb (61.2 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alfan Rocher-Labes def. Deiby Tachon |
MMA GP: Kouadja vs Maalem Le Grand-Saconnex, France |
Sep 16, 2023 |
Flyweight Championship edit
- Weight limit: 125 lb (56.7 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Aljarouj def. Ezzoubair Bouarsa |
MMA GP: Doumbe vs Klimas Paris, France |
Mar 4, 2023 |
1. def. Liridon Ramani at JSC 1 on Jan 27, 2024 |
Notable fighters edit
Media edit
Select MMA GP shows, including the company's inaugural card, have aired on the UFC Fight Pass.[2] In May 2022, the promotion inked its first television deal with Sport en France. However, French media authority CSA still bans MMA broadcasts before 10:30 pm, forcing some fights to be shown on tape delay.[6] MMA GP made its premium TV debut with a 17 December 2022 card from Bordeaux, which was broadcast on RMC Sport 2.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Fight Sport Management". pagesjaunes.fr. 7 February 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ a b c Duseaux, Guillaume (8 October 2020). "Le MMA débarque en France : focus sur le premier événement à Vitry-sur-Seine". radiofrance.fr. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Maître, Jean-Baptiste (8 October 2020). "MMA. Qui sont les deux hommes à l'origine de la première soirée officielle en France ?". ouest-france.fr. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ a b Godefroy, Greg (15 September 2020). "MMA : les premiers combats officiels en France auront lieu en octobre". radiofrance.fr. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Lalanne, Gaspard (9 October 2020). "MMA GP : Le tout premier évènement de MMA en France". actumma.com. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ a b Saison 4 : Les annonces (in French). Sport en France. 22 September 2022. Event occurs at 44m44s. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ Desaint, Benoît (3 June 2022). "Jérôme Le Banner fait des confidences sur 'la bonne droite' d'Édouard Philippe avant son combat au MMA GP". gentside.com. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Le Coz, Yohann (3 June 2022). "Jérôme Le Banner : 'J'espère qu'il va bien me casser la gueule une bonne fois pour toutes'". eurosport.fr. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ "'Geronimo' Jérome Le Banner". tapology.com. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Mixed Martial Arts Grand Prix". tapology.com. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Angelini, Olivier (15 December 2022). "MMA GP : Doumbe vs Burillon – Quelle heure, quelle chaine ?". boxemag.com. Retrieved 31 December 2022.