MMA: Chantegrel spoils the party in Fréjus

The organization had to deal with rain on Saturday morning during the installation, humidity on the tarpaulin at nightfall, the cancellation of four fights, including one after the weigh-in, not to mention the waltz of opponents... and despite everything, the AEC 13, which was held on Saturday evening in the Fréjus arenas, attracted 2,200 people.

This time, in this setting dating from the Roman era, and unlike the gladiators, there were no kills, but only one TKO (technical knockout).

It was the work of Varoise Mallaury Kalachnikoff from the Raphaëloise Mauvaise Graine team, who opened the evening with a flurry of punches, even before the end of the first round. An achievement that caught the eye of Willy Sirope, the event organizer: "She'll go very far. I'm sure we'll see her in the UFC."

In an atmosphere provided by a large contingent of supporters of the local club, Kamily Hadji failed to win at home, losing by decision.

Another local at the party, Mani Grimaudo, who grew up for a few years in Fréjus, managed to strangle another Var resident, Tom Di Gasparro, in front of a crowd that was all for him.

This victory gave him the right to fight for the belt in his category in his next fight.

"It's an incredible moment to experience, " he admits. "I want the belt. I'll take whoever it takes."

Tommy Azouz outclassed with weapons in hand

This was supposed to be the opportunity of a lifetime to secure his first professional victory in front of his own team. Despite an impressive second inning, Tommy Azouz failed to deliver. In tears, he stood inconsolably in the red corner.

"My brother likes to put on a show. That may have worked against him," admits Kevin Azouz, his coach. "Preparation has been tough since our father passed away a year ago. Tonight, it's mentally difficult for us..."

His opponent this evening, Robin Chantegrel, from the renowned Old School Academy in the Paris region, pulled off the perfect move for his MMA debut.

A real poison on the ground in all the situations that presented themselves to him, the man who comes from mixed karate and learned his trade in the United States did what was necessary to obtain a unanimous decision.

"Taking the ground was one of my options. I took what I had to take, even if it wasn't the absolute game plan," admits this versatile fighter. "I fed off the crowd's energy, even if it was against me."

A second edition in the pipeline?

With a TKO, a submission and five fights that went to the end of three rounds, this dedicated evening lived up to all its promises.

This was despite the humidity interrupting the fight for the 84kg belt won by Yoan Morero against Mathieu Heili.

The fighters were so pleased with the setting that the organizers are already thinking about a second edition.

"We seized this opportunity in the arenas and we're very satisfied," analyzes Willy Sirope. "We had some great competition. We want to see repeat performances in our organizations. We're going to position ourselves and make proposals."