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
editMMA 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
editCurrent 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
editMedia
editSelect 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.