MMA Grand Prix
| File:MMA Grand Prix logo.png | |
| Sport | Mixed martial arts |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020[1] |
| Founder | Abdel Khaznadji Éric Konako Faubert[2][3] |
| Owner | Fight Sport Management[4] |
| Headquarters | Vitry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France[1] |
| Broadcasters | Sport en France RMC Sport |
| Official website | mmagrandprix.com |
MMA Grand Prix, often abbreviated MMA GP, is a professional mixed martial arts promotion based in Vitry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]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 | edit source]Current MMA Grand Prix champions
[edit | edit source]| Men's division | Upper weight limit | Champion | Since | Title Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Heavyweight | 205 lb (93.0 kg) | Algeria Mohamed Said Maalem | Sep 16, 2023 | 0 |
| Lightweight | 154 lb (69.9 kg) | Brazil Keweney Lopes | Jan 27, 2024 | 0 |
| Featherweight | 145 lb (65.8 kg) | Vacant | N/A | N/A |
| Bantamweight | 135 lb (61.2 kg) | France Alfan Rocher-Labes | Sep 16, 2023 | 0 |
| Flyweight | 125 lb (56.7 kg) | France Michael Aljarouj | Mar 4, 2023 | 1 |
Light Heavyweight Championship
[edit | edit source]- Weight limit: 205 lb (93.0 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria Mohamed Said Maalem def. Yann Kouadja |
MMA GP: Kouadja vs Maalem Le Grand-Saconnex, France |
Sep 16, 2023 |
Lightweight Championship
[edit | edit source]- Weight limit: 154 lb (69.9 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil Keweney Lopes def. Mathias Poiron |
JSC 1 Nimas, France |
Jan 27, 2024 |
Featherweight Championship
[edit | edit source]- Weight limit: 145 lb (65.8 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France Alioune Nahaye def. Ariston França |
MMA Grand Prix 4 Paris, France |
Oct 14, 2021 | |
| Nahaye vacated. | ||||
Bantamweight Championship
[edit | edit source]- Weight limit: 135 lb (61.2 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France Alfan Rocher-Labes def. Deiby Tachon |
MMA GP: Kouadja vs Maalem Le Grand-Saconnex, France |
Sep 16, 2023 |
Flyweight Championship
[edit | edit source]- Weight limit: 125 lb (56.7 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France 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 | edit source]Media
[edit | edit source]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
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