After two huge successes, the UFC, the largest MMA organization, returns to France for the third time, to the Accor Arena in Bercy. This Saturday, there will be nine French people entering the octagon, all with very specific challenges. Here is everything you need to know about the French MMA event.
Saturday, Bercy is “The Place to Be”! The UFC is setting up shop at the Accor Arena for the third time for an event not to be missed. From 6 p.m., the fights will take place in a great evening atmosphere, which has never disappointed.
Marseillaise, chants, revolting supporters… the atmosphere in Paris particularly pleased the boss of the UFC, Dana White. “They react to all the little movements on the ground. I love that,” he said after the first UFC Paris, in September 2022.
So two editions later, the Americans return to Paris with a record number of French people on the map. During the first UFC Paris, there were four of them to get to know this revolting public, Ciryl Gane fought last, against Tai Tuivasa. Nassourdine Imavov and William Gomis were also present, and as a symbol, it was Benoît Saint Denis who became the first UFC fighter to fight in France. Two years later, the Nîmes will fight the last one, in the main event, a true illustration of the explosion of MMA in France.
BSD wants the Top 10, Imavov to find a star… the stakes of this evening
If “BSD” finds itself propelled into the main event (main fight), in the absence of Ciryl Gane, we therefore need another Frenchman to open this UFC Paris 2024. Or rather a Frenchwoman… And it’s explosive Nora Cornolle who will be responsible for getting this evening off to a flying start. Already a winner twice in the UFC (including a knockout), the native of Epinay-sur-Seine wants to take her revenge against Cavalcanti. Two other tricolors are also present in the so-called “preliminary” card, with first Taylor Lapilus, who must win in style against the sulphurous American Morales, to see himself extended to the UFC. The colossus Oumar Sy will close this early evening on the French side. In a category in full renewal (-93 kg), the 28-year-old fighter can quickly reach the Top 15 in his division if successful.
And after this more than hearty starter, it’s time for the main course. And it starts strong. Farès Ziam against Matt Frevola. One of the most underrated French people faces an American most appreciated by French supporters. The two lightweight fighters (- 70 kg) will engage in a real war, to then leave the octagon to the star of social networks, Morgan Charrière. Spectacular and showman, “The Last Pirate” (his nickname) does not want to disappoint his audience. Whose turn is it? Kévin Jousset, his name doesn’t mean anything to you? Wait for Saturday… Exiled in New Zealand, France will discover and adore him, the Frenchman is aiming for a third victory in the most prestigious MMA organization, against the dangerous Bryan Battle.
Tell yourself that after all that, the evening is still far from over. Present during the first two UFC Paris, Williams Gomis, still undefeated, is not the favorite for his fight against the Brazilian crack Brito. In the co-main event, the highest ranked French fighter on this card, Nassourdine Imavov (4th) takes a huge risk by facing Brendan Allen. But a victory on Saturday, and it is a “semi-final”, against a world star of – 84 kg which will be offered to him. So the game is worth it. The icing on the cake? Benoît Saint Denis in the main event against Renato Moicano. The new star of French MMA faces the spectacular Brazilian, on a series of three consecutive victories in the UFC.
Fights to follow for free
We told you, we’ll tell you again, UFC Paris 2024 is unmissable. And RMC Sport is doing everything it can to not miss anything from this evening which already promises to be legendary. On the RMC Sport Twitch, find the pre-fight from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., but also the first fights to follow for free, in particular those of Cornolle, Lapilus and Sy, also broadcast on RMC Sport 1.
From 8:30 p.m., the fights of Ziam, Charrière and Jousset are broadcast exclusively on RMC Sport 1, just like the last three of Gomis, Imavov and Saint Denis, also broadcast unencrypted, on RMC Découverte.
Weigh-ins on Friday, to wait
Like any self-respecting combat sport, MMA is categorized. Weigh-ins are therefore mandatory the day before the event. So, this Friday, the 28 fighters present on the card will take turns on the UFC scales, from nine o’clock in the morning. Everyone must respect the weight of their category. Benoît Saint Denis must, for example, not exceed 70 kg, the authorized limit for light weights.
After this morning weigh-in, the fighters will meet tomorrow from 6 p.m. for the second and final so-called “ceremonial” weigh-in, where the tension will be at its peak, less than 24 hours before the fights, the pressure will rise and RMC Sport will be there to broadcast them on the RMC Sport Twitch and the RMC Sport Combat YouTube.
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