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.