Currently a HEXAGONE MMA middleweight champion (-84 kg), Aymard Guih aspires to add the welterweight belt (-77 kg) to his collection on March 11th in Poitiers, where the championship presents a new challenge for this bona fide mixed martial arts fighter.

For Aymard Guih, everything started with a job interview, a professional discussion which led, partly by chance, to his career as a fighter.
“My future boss was a judo teacher and the interview took place the day before his class. He suggested that I should try it. I went along and got smashed by the kids there,” laughs the Franco-Ivorian, who 15 years later stands as a real expert in the discipline.
Until that day, Aymard Guih had never entered a dojo, preferring dance, especially hip-hop. “If I had not discovered martial arts, I am sure I would have remained in this environment. Many knew of Aymard the dancer before they knew of Aymard the fighter.

“In victory or defeat, I wanted above all to be respected by my peers,” he says.

But, at 34 years old, it is for his feats in the cage that the former judoka is most talked about. Having switched to MMA ten years ago, despite initial reservations and prejudice about the violence of the sport, the Abidjan native has gradually built up a fine record of achievements that now stands at around 30 top-tier fights. “When I started my career, it was my personal mission to earn honour to my name in victory or defeat. I wanted above all to be respected by my peers, and I think I’ve achieved that. Now, I think of it much more in terms of enjoyment, even if the goal is always performance-based.”

His next challenge looks more competitive than ever, since Aymard Guih will try, on March 11th, to become double HEXAGONE MMA champion. Already a middleweight belt holder, he is now eyeing the welterweight belt.
” -77 kg is my real category. That’s where I’ve fought the most, so I feel good, confident and prepared.”
Sure of his strengths, the fighter from Marseille knows he has answers in every area of a fight:
“Even though I am best known for my grip, since I have a black belt in judo, I am good everywhere. I know I have good timing, good movement and solid endurance. Most importantly, I never take any opponent lightly.”