UFC Paris: French MMA fighters in the spotlight
The French Nassourdine Imavov, Farès Ziam, Ciryl Gane, Benoît Saint-Denis and William Gomis (from left to right), before the UFC Paris.
© Getty Images - Editing RFI
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 mins
Five French mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters will take center stage during UFC Paris on September 3, 2022, the first event organized in France by the all-powerful MMA league.
Presentation of the French representatives at the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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Ciryl Gane, the star
In the space of three years, this former practitioner of Muy Thai and kick-boxing – two other combat sports – has become the
superstar of French mixed martial arts (MMA)
and a star in his country.
Interim world heavyweight champion in 2021, Gane has lost only once to the UFC.
It was for the title against Cameroonian Francis Ngannou.
This formidable slugger hopes to have another chance soon, in case of success against the Australian Tai Tuivasa at UFC Paris.
Nassourdine Imavov, the unknown
Training partner of Gane, this fighter born in the Russian region of Daghestan is one of the other sure values of French MMA.
Twelfth in the middleweight category, Imavov still lacks notoriety, despite his talent.
A victory against the American Joaquin Buckley, lower ranked than him but much better known
since an anthology knockout
, could help him to have more fans.
“
He is a perfect opponent for that
, admitted the interested party.
Buckley is hip
(sic)
, he's famous and that's what I miss
."
Benoît Saint-Denis, the warrior
A former member of the French special forces, the one nicknamed "God Of War" successfully converted to MMA in 2019. His UFC debut was quite brutal with a fight bloody against the Brazilian Elizeu, which ended in defeat.
Recovered from this first, Benoît Saint-Denis beat the German Niklas Stolze and hopes to continue against the Brazilian Gabriel Miranda in order to make his way into the formidable lightweight category.
"
I proved that it was going to be complicated for the members of the Top 15 in my category
," he said.
Farès Ziam, the ghost
The Franco-Algerian had a mixed first experience at the UFC, from 2019 to February 2022, with two wins and two losses.
But the lightweight didn't stay away from the Ultimate Fighting Championship for long.
The arrival of the all-powerful MMA league in France has allowed this 25-year-old hopeful to bounce back very quickly with a new contract.
It remains to seize this new chance by shining in the octagon.
"
I feel good, but I also feel a lot of pressure because my family, my friends and my fans will be there,
" he said
.
But it's good pressure and I'm excited
.
William Gomis, the surprise
He is the least known of the five Frenchmen engaged on September 3, 2022 at Bercy: the "Jaguar" was recruited to the UFC a little to everyone's surprise, despite his age (25 years old) and already fierce competition in weight. feathers.
Here he is even propelled on the main card in Paris.
An opportunity he welcomes with a smile.
“
It can go very very quickly in the UFC
, he replied.
I thought I was in the preliminary map at the time.
But I find myself on the main card.
That's wonderful !
»
UFC PARIS: THE ABSENT(S)
UFC Paris: the absentees
Manon Fiorot, the icon of female MMA
She should have been the other headliner of this UFC Paris, but the Niçoise had to withdraw due to an injury.
“
I am very disappointed not to be able to fight for this first UFC in Paris.
But I'm very happy that they're coming here, because I didn't think it was going to happen so soon.
And so, I can't wait to attend.
Her flyweight clash against American Katlyn Chookagian has been rescheduled for October 22 in Abu Dhabi.
A last step, in case of victory, before a world championship against the Kyrgyz Valentina Shevchenko?
Zarah Fairn Dos Santos, the pioneer
In 2019, she became the first French woman to fight in the UFC.
Since then, the Parisian has had little success with two defeats and canceled matches, including for this UFC Paris.
At 35 and after two and a half years without a match, the Parisian is chomping at the bit.
Taylor Lapilus, the patient
This UFC Paris was to sign the great return of "Double Impact" to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) six years after being dismissed for no apparent reason.
The 30-year-old bantamweight had indeed won three of his four meetings there, but his lease had not been renewed.
Anyone who also regularly acts as a consultant for specialized media will have to be patient for a little longer.
Interview by David Kalfa and Sophiane Amazian,
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