On March 11th, HEXAGONE MMA took over the Futuroscope’s Arena, for the first mixed martial arts gala organized in Poitiers: a total success. Between local athletes and international stars, they all delivered outstanding performances. Here is a look back to the most spectacular performances with their authors.

Aymard Guih, first double champion

He wanted to make history in HEXAGONE MMA, and he only needed four minutes to do it. Winner by submission over the experienced Walter Gahadza in the first round, Aymard Guih became the organization’s first ever double champion in Poitiers, adding the welterweight title to his collection after the middleweight one that he already had. “I absolutely wanted to finish this fight as soon as possible,” said the Franco-Ivorian, a few days after his victory. “As I had dislocated my left shoulder three weeks before the deadline, I did everything to go straight to the ground and end the fight as soon as possible. It was a winning bet. However, the conditions were not conducive to performance. “The doctors told me I couldn’t fight, but since I’m stubborn, I did it.” The future looks good for Aymard Guih, who is already looking forward to new challenges. “I can defend one of my belts, but I can also try to win another one. I’ve fought at lightweight before, so why not go down again, and try to be a triple champion!”

Samantha Jean-François, in a new dimension

For her first belt defense, Samantha Jean-Francois put on quite a show for the audience at the Futuroscope’s Arena. Opposed to the dangerous Andressa Rocha, the HEXAGONE MMA flyweight champion delivered a real five-round war, concluded by a superb submission just a few seconds before the bell. Sensational. “I expected a very committed fight, it was not a surprise at this level”, said the Frenchwoman. “On the other hand, I was going to fight standing up, whereas in the final, most of the fight happened on the ground. But I’m happy, I performed real MMA. With this third success in a row acquired before the limit, Samantha Jean-Francois confirms that she has reached, at 36 years, a real “peak form”. “Since 2022, I have really turned a corner, something has changed. Now I’m going to the end of what I’m doing. The years are passing by, and I don’t want to have any regrets, so I need to take advantage of this momentum.” So, for her next belt defense, the Reunionese intends to be at her “peak of fitness”. “As MMA is now legal in France, I’m not interested in fighting French women. I have to hit foreigners!”

Shanelle Dyer, the blossoming of a future star

It’s hard to make a better impression for her MMA debut. Particularly expected by the observers of the discipline, Shanelle Dyer recorded, in Poitiers, a huge highlight, for her very first professional fight. In total confidence in the cage, the English gem placed a superb back elbow at the end of the first round, which took her opponent, Weronika Eszer, out of the evening and raised the crowd in an instant. “I knew she was dangerous on the ground, so the plan was to step on her, while maintaining some distance,” summarized the British woman. “The K-O, on the other hand, I didn’t plan that! But it’s a move I often work on because of my Thai boxing background. So when I heard my coach shout ‘back elbow’, I didn’t hesitate.” The slow motion, particularly spectacular, instantly got viral on social media. Fighters, commentators, movie actors… Many stars shared the performance of the one who is unanimously considered as the future of English MMA. “My community has literally exploded in the wake of it. I received so many messages and congratulations. So I’m really looking forward to fighting again, but this time at strawweight, my natural weight class.”