Outside Source
Image: Ares FC
The French mixed martial arts scene is entering a new era as the investment fund behind Ares Fighting Championship has acquired a controlling stake in Hexagone MMA.
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According to French newspaper L’Equipe, investment fund Slam is now controlling the two major MMA promotions in France, Ares and HXMMA. Described as a fund dedicated to investment opportunities “at the intersection of sport, luxury, art, and music,” Slam is managed by European investment firm Trail. For the moment, Ares and HXMMA will not merge, as the two promotions will continue operating as separate entities.
“Today, we are clearly the number one in France. The next step will be Europe,” (translation by the author) Trail founder and CEO Xavier Marin told L’Equipe, setting a three-year timeline to become Europe’s leading MMA organization. While it has held events outside Paris, Ares has historically been tied to the French capital. Its origins are closely linked to the surge in popularity of MMA Factory, the gym where former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder Francis Ngannou and former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane trained, among others. Gane is currently a partner and investor in Ares. HXMMA’s roots likewise trace back to Paris, though the promotion has expanded outside France as well.
In the interview with L’Équipe, Marin drew a deliberate parallel with boxing’s fragmentation to explain the acquisition. “In MMA, there is one major player in the United States: the UFC. There is one major player in France. And there is the opportunity and need for a major player in Europe.” He also stated that MMA should eventually have its own independent federation in France, separate from the French Boxing Federation under which it currently operates.
Ares’ upcoming event will go down at the Adidas Arena in Paris on June 6, featuring an interim welterweight title clash between Alvi Dasuyev and Mohamed Soumah at Ares 41. HXMMA will return to the Arkea Arena in Bordeaux on May 29 for HXMMA 44. The event is headlined by a 155-pound tilt between veterans Wilson Varela and Davy Gallon.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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