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MMA Factory
MMA Factory is a mixed martial arts gym based in Paris, France. It is considered the largest MMA gym in France, and is notable for producing UFC Heavyweight Champion, Francis Ngannou and former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion, Ciryl Gane. Overview In 2013, Fernand Lopez and his business partner, a police officer, opened CrossFight in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Soon after, he renamed the gym ‘MMA Factory.’ The gym started with only two fighters but rapidly expanded to have over 600 students and 18 staff members as of 2018. MMA Factory was sponsored by Reebok France. The most notable fighter produced by MMA Factory is Francis Ngannou who would become UFC Heavyweight champion in 2021. When Ngannou was 26, he moved from Cameroon to France in order pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer. Francis Carmont met Ngannou and then introduced him to Lopez and the MMA factory. Lopez saw the potential of Ngannou and convinced him to try MMA even though Ngannou origin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fernand Lopez
Fernand Lopez Owonyebe (born November 12, 1978) is a Cameroonian-French former mixed martial artist (MMA) and current MMA coach. He is best known for establishing MMA Factory, the biggest MMA gym in France, as well as being the former trainer of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou and current trainer of former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane. Early life Lopez was born in 1978 in a small village in Lekié and grew up in Yaoundé. His father was a college professor and his mother was a high school teacher. In his youth his father signed him up for lessons in combat sports such as Taekwondo, Boxing, Judo and Wrestling to defend himself from bullies. In 1997, Lopez immigrated to France where he worked as an Electrical Engineer. On the side he would attend sports science classes at INSEP while playing Rugby in the Pro D2 league. However a neck injury sidelined him in Rugby and he had to have surgery to treat it, rendering him unable to move his neck for t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
UFC Heavyweight Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champions are fighters who have won UFC championships. Historical notes At the time of the UFC's inception in 1993, mixed martial arts was not sanctioned in the United States, and did not include weight classes. Instead of the traditional championship model, the UFC held tournaments with the winner receiving a permanent appellation. In response to criticism from Senator John McCain that saw the loss of its television deal and the banning of the sport in thirty-six states, the UFC increased its cooperation with state athletic commissions and introduced weight classes in 1997, starting with UFC 12, and began introducing weight-specific titles. The original codification for weight classes introduced only two divisions: heavyweight, which grouped together all competitors above , and lightweight, which encompassed all competitors 199 pounds (90 kg) and under. At UFC 14 the lightweight division would be renamed to middleweight, though it would ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rizlen Zouak
Rizlen Zouak (born 14 May 1986, Beaune, France) is a French-Moroccan judoka and mixed martial arts fighter. At the 2012 Summer Olympics she competed in the Women's 63 kg, but was defeated in the first round. On Saturday 24 June, Rizlen Zouak made her debut in MMA against Leah McCourt at Cage Warriors 85 for the British MMA organisation Cage Warriors. She won the fight by TKO in the second round. Mixed martial arts record , - , Win , align=center, 7–5 , Iony Razafiarison , Decision (unanimous) , Ares FC 9 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Paris, France , , - , Loss , align=center, 6–5 , Melissa Dixon , Decision (unanimous) , Ares FC 7 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Paris, France , , - , Win , align=center, 6–4 , Flordinice Muniz , Decision (unanimous) , Ares FC 4 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Paris, France , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–4 , Gisele Moreira , TKO (body kick and punches) , Ares FC 2 , , align=center, 2 , align=cent ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Christian M'Pumbu
Christian M'Pumbu (born June 2, 1977) is a French-Congolese professional mixed martial artist. He was the inaugural Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. Background M'Pumbu was born in Kinshasa, Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He currently resides in France. Mixed martial arts career M'Pumbu made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut in 2004. He has fought primarily in Europe for various promotions including KSW and M-1 Global. He is currently a member of Team France in M-1 Mixfight. Before his debut in the United States, M'Pumbu amassed a record of 15 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw. A notable win from this period is over Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight contender Stefan Struve. Bellator Fighting Championships M'Pumbu made his U.S. MMA debut on March 26, 2011 at Bellator 38. He faced Chris Davis in the opening round of the Light Heavyweight tournament and won the fight via TKO in the third round. In the semi-finals he defeated ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sokoudjou
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Nkamhoua (; born April 18, 1984), mostly billed simply as Sokoudjou, is a Cameroonian professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2006, Sokoudjou is the former KSW Light Heavyweight Champion, and has also competed for PRIDE, the UFC, WEC, Affliction, Strikeforce, K-1, DREAM and Bellator. Background Born and raised in Cameroon, Sokoudjou began training in judo at the age of five and was talented, winning three consecutive junior national championships from 1997 to 1999 in his home country. Growing up, he had actually wanted to get involved with boxing or kickboxing but his parents would not allow it because they thought the competition was too violent. Sokoudjou moved to the United States in 2001 to pursue his career in judo. Mixed martial arts career PRIDE Fighting Championships In his PRIDE debut at PRIDE 33, Sokoudjou fought Brazilian fighter Antônio Rogério Nogueira, and the much-less experienced Sokoudjou was a 16-1 und ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jérôme Le Banner
Jérôme Philippe Le Banner (; born December 26, 1972) is a French kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and professional wrestler. Le Banner fought for most of his career in K-1 and became known for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power. He is a 2-time K-1 World Grand Prix runner up, a 2-time K-1 Preliminary Grand Prix champion, and is a multiple time world champion in Kickboxing and Muay Thai. He holds notable victories over Ernesto Hoost (twice), Francisco Filho, Mark Hunt (three times), Sam Greco, Mike Bernardo (twice), Peter Aerts, Rick Roufus, Remy Bonjasky, Tyrone Spong, Stefan Leko (twice), Masaaki Satake, Maurice Smith, Gary Goodridge (twice), Musashi (twice), Cyril Abidi and Choi Hong-man (twice). Background Jérôme Le Banner was born in the French city of Le Havre, in the ''région'' of Normandy and began training in judo at the age of five. When he was fourteen, Bruce Lee's ''Fist of Fury'' influenced him so much that he became interested in striking inste ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alan Baudot
Alan Dimitri Baudot (born February 1, 1988) is a French mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division. He has previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Alan Baudot was born on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse in Lyon, in a modest environment, with his parents originally from Martinique, from the commune of Schœlcher. At the age of 12, his mother and stepfather decided to leave the city and move to the countryside, near Besançon, in Franche-Comté. Growing up amongst cows and farms, Baudot had a pleasant childhood, with Besançon being where he started judo, his first sensations in combat sports. At the same time, he played rugby in Fédérale 2 (4e division) and tried his hand at fist-fighting. In love with martial arts, he turned to contact sports such as kick-boxing and muay-thai at the age of 19. As for his studies, Alan obtained a BEP (vocational diploma) and then a professional diploma in cooking and a CAP (vocational training certi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nassourdine Imavov
Nasourdin Abdoulazimovitch Imavov (born March 1, 1995) is a French mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of April 11, 2023, he is #12 in the UFC middleweight rankings. Background At the age of 9, Imavov started boxing when he arrived in France from Dagestan, Russia with his family in Salon-de-Provence. After that, he discovered MMA and at 19, he moved to Paris with his older brother Daguir, where they joined Fernand Lopez's MMA Factory. Mixed martial arts career Early career Starting his professional career in 2016, Imavov compiled an 8–2 record. He was riding a 5 bout win streak before signing with the UFC, during which time he picked up the Thunderstrike Fight League Welterweight Championship and a first-round beat down of former UFC welterweight Jonathan Meunier at ARES FC 1 on December 14, 2019. Ultimate Fighting Championship Imavov made his UFC debut against Jordan Williams on October 4, 2020 at UF ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Taylor Lapilus
Taylor Lapilus (born 8 April 1992) is a French mixed martial artist and boxer who currently competes in Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the former TKO Major League MMA Bantamweight Championship. Background Born and raised in Villepinte, Lapilus competed in soccer on various levels as a youngster. Before he began training in martial arts, he briefly attended college where he studied, and worked for a time as a welder. Mixed martial arts career Early career Lapilus followed the path of his brother Damien, who is also a professional mixed martial artist, and began training in mixed martial arts in 2010. He made his debut as a professional in 2012, competing as a featherweight for primarily for various regional promotions across France. He was able to compile a record along the way of 8–1. On the heels of his finish of Cyril Ericher in May 2014, Lapilus signed with the UFC in the fall of 2014. Ultimate Fighting Championship Lapilus was e ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Veronica Macedo
Verónica Macedo (born October 30, 1995) is a Venezuelan mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes in the women’s Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Mixed martial arts career Early career Macedo amassed a record of 5–0 prior to being signed by UFC. Ultimate Fighting Championship Macedo faced Ashlee Evans-Smith on September 3, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 93. She lost the fight via technical knockout in round three. Macedo faced Andrea Lee on May 19, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129. She lost the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned her the Fight of the Night bonus. Macedo faced Gillian Robertson on February 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos. She lost the fight via submission in the second round. Macedo was scheduled to face Rachael Ostovich on August 10, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 14. However, it was announced on July 29, 2019 that Ostovich was replaced by Polyana Viana for undisclosed reason. Macedo won the fight via a submis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ion Cuțelaba
Ion Nicolae Cuțelaba (born 14 December 1993) is a Moldovan professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Born and raised in Chișinău, Cuțelaba began training and competing in Greco-Roman wrestling as an adolescent. He additionally competed in Sambo and judo, becoming a national champion in both. In 2012, representing Moldova, Cuțelaba finished first in the 90 kg category of the European Sambo Championships. Mixed martial arts career Early career Cuțelaba made his professional debut in April 2012, competing primarily for regional promotions across Eastern Europe. He amassed a record of 11-1 (1) before signing with the UFC in the spring of 2016. Ultimate Fighting Championship 2016 Cuțelaba made his promotional debut against Misha Cirkunov on June 18, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 89. He lost the fight via submission in the third round. Cuțelaba next faced Jonathan Wilson on October 1, 20 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
UFC 270
''UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on January 22, 2022 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Background A UFC Heavyweight Championship title unification bout between current champion Francis Ngannou and interim champion Ciryl Gane served as the event headliner. A UFC Flyweight Championship trilogy bout between current champion Brandon Moreno and former champion Deiveson Figueiredo took place at the event. The pairing first met at UFC 256 on December 12, 2020 which ended in a majority draw (Figueiredo retained the title). Their second meeting took place at UFC 263 on June 12, 2021 where Moreno captured the title by submission in the third round. The rematch was originally expected to take place at UFC 269, but it was moved to this event. A middleweight bout between Jared Cannonier and Derek Brunson was scheduled for the event. However, the pairing was moved to UFC 271 three weeks later. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
