Ready to enter the cage? While a series on this same subject is a hit on Netflix, M6 is launching this Wednesday, November 20, 2024 a new sports reality TV concept: “MMA Academy”. Inspired by the success of shows like “Star Academy” or “The Ultimate Fighter”, this new competition intends to combine spectacle, surpassing oneself and the discovery of new talents to democratize a discipline still unknown to the general public: MMA.
“I present the show in Nikos Aliagas mode”
The principle is simple, but impactful: 28 amateur fighters, men and women, find themselves immersed in a Parisian academy where they will undergo intensive training and compete over the course of 12 episodes. The objective? Access the prestigious final during a gala broadcast live on W9 and leave with a check for €10,000 as well as a contract to join the “King of Fighters” (KOF) league. Five episodes will be available from this Wednesday, November 20, 2024 on M6+, followed by four new episodes on November 27, then four others on December 4. The grand final will be broadcast live on W9 on December 7 at 11 p.m.
Note that since the legalization of MMA in France in 2020, the rules for broadcasting on television remain unchanged. The fights, classified category 4 (not recommended for those under 16), are subject to strict schedules to protect young audiences: accessible from 8:30 p.m. on pay channels and platforms, and at 10:30 p.m. on free services. RMC Sport, broadcaster of UFC MMA fights, must therefore respect these requirements. As for the M6+ program, it is not recommended for children under 12 years old.
Behind this adventure, a top-of-the-range casting. Grégory Bouchelaghem, aka Greg MMA, martial arts star and influencer followed by millions of fans, serves as director and host of the program. “It's the 'Star Academy' but this time, it's with percussion and submissions. It's MMA. We bring young men and young women into the academy and we ensure that the best comes out on top so that they can, I hope, join a professional organization.“, he explains in an interview with “Télé 7 Jours”. Not without a touch of humor, he adds: “I am the director of the academy. I also present the show in mode Nikos AliagasI do it extremely well! In any case, M6 is happy, we're doing a great job together.”
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Jérôme Le Banner, icon of combat sports in France and figure in kickboxing, takes on the role of inspiring godfather, while participants benefit from the wise advice of two UFC fighters, Morgan Charrière and Taylor Lapilus. “OIt is difficult to do better than two UFC fighters, who have won victories and are references in France“, estimates Greg MMA to the “Parisien”. If MMA fascinates as much as it divides, Greg MMA hopes that this show will help change mentalities. “MMA has only been legal for a short time, I hope that we will continue to democratize this discipline which has been criticized but which is becoming more commonplace. I think it's legitimate because the fighters are athletes, not bloodthirsty thugs. We're going to prove it.“
It is also the ambition of the participants, like Justine Tailfer, French mixed karate champion, who confides to the “Parisian”: “Beyond progress and advice, this show can offer us light for a possible future career.“From the first episode, viewers will be immersed in a competitive atmosphere where the pressure is palpable. The teams, formed by the coaches after express selections, will compete in a series of fights to secure their place in the final. key: the dream of joining the big leagues.
