Bellator MMA is about to hold the first legalized MMA event in France on Oct. 10 which be headlined by French veteran Cheick Kongo and Timothy Johnson, with Michael ‘Venom’ Page on the same card.
After the long-awaited decision of MMA getting legalized in France was announced recently Bellator MMA announced Friday it will become the first promotion to hold a mixed martial arts event in the country when it does Bellator Paris on Oct 10. In 2016, France banned the sport of MMA. The government said that they would consider the sport as legal only when an existing sports federation takes it over.
The French Minister for sports, Roxana Maracineanu, in June of last year, announced via Twitter that France would accept applications from existing sports federation to host MMA events in the country. France has approved the practice of mixed martial arts and has placed the sport under the supervision of the French Boxing Federation (FFB) and From January 1, 2020, MMA once again became a recognized sport in the country.
Bellator the first promotion to host an MMA event in France.
Bellator issued a press release on September 11, which explained the great features of their October 10 event in Paris, it reads as. Following the governmental decree, the French Boxing Federation is responsible for the implementation of MMA in France. “If I chose to initiate a delegation procedure for MMA, it was for its recognition; it is to liberate, supervise and develop its practice,” indicates the Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu. This is a turning point in the history of French sport, as MMA is a discipline that is enjoying growing success, proven by these events capable of bringing together thousands of people and attracting millions of spectators.
“This is a monumental moment in the history of the sport, as well as our organization, and I am honored that Bellator will promote the very first MMA event in France by a major promotion,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Many people have worked tirelessly to bring this to fruition, and it would not have been possible without the support of the Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, as well as the French Kickboxing Federation sanctioning body. I would also like to thank Accor Arena, who has been an incredible venue partner, and I cannot wait for the French fans to be in attendance and join us live for what will be an unforgettable night of action in Paris on Oct 10.”
Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-10-2, 1 NC, France’s Cheick Kongo returns to action following a title fight against heavyweight champion Ryan Bader last September. The former kickboxer remains unbeaten since 2015 and will enter the Bellator cage on home soil for a rematch against a familiar opponent in a heavyweight contender, Tim Johnson. With the most fights (15) and wins (12) in Bellator heavyweight history, as well as victories over Vitaly Minakov, Mirko Cro Cop, Antoni Hardonk, and Matt Mitrione, the Parisian is planning for a successful homecoming on Oct. 10.
On the heels of a dominant TKO victory over veteran Matt Mitrione at Bellator 243 in August, Tim Johnson is set to compete for the third time in 2020 seeking revenge in a rematch from 2018 against Cheick Kongo. Now training out of Las Vegas, Johnson has quickly earned his place near the top of the Bellator heavyweight division with his recent wins, including a viral knockout over top prospect Tyrell Fortune in February. Boasting a career record of 14-6, with 11 coming by way of finish, the Minnesota-born military veteran looks to carry his momentum into a fight that has future world title implications.
Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Michael “Venom” Page, better known to fans as “MVP,” returns to spoil the debut of European welterweight prospect, Ross Houston. Holding a career record of 17-1, with 14 wins coming by way of stoppage, the pride of London Shootfighters looks to remind people why he is one of the most exciting strikers in all of MMA. In addition to his MMA accolades, Page is a 10-time kickboxing world champion and also undefeated as a professional boxer.
After signing with Bellator in February, Scotland’s Ross Houston will make his promotional debut against one of Bellator’s biggest stars in Michael Page. “The Hitman” plans on keeping his 8-0, 1 NC undefeated record intact and moving one step closer to Bellator gold in the toughest test of his career to date. With three submission victories to his name, Houston’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills make him a viable threat if the fight goes to the ground against one of Bellator’s most feared strikers.
This will be great exposure for the ever-growing sport of MMA in the world. A restricted number of fans will be allowed in the audience for this historic event. Tickets will be available at 10 a.m. CEST on Tuesday, September 15 at accorarena.com and bellator.fr.
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