HEXAGONE MMA 9: Results; Prince Aounallah Crowned Heavyweight Champion

PARIS: HEXAGONE MMA 9 delivered a spectacular show at Reims Arena last night, Saturday 17 June 2023. Anthony Dizy consolidated his star legacy in front of his home crowd, while Prince Aounallah emerged from a challenging and compelling match as the promotion’s first world heavyweight champion.

HEXAGONE MMA has crowned its first heavyweight world champion. At the close of an exceptional evening, on Saturday 17 June, amidst an electric atmosphere at Reims Arena, Prince Aounallah dominated Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze to win the world title. After an intense back-and-forth, the Frenchman won by technical K-O thanks to some brutal ground and pound before an excited crowd.

“I’ve worked hard. This belt goes straight to my heart after everything I’ve put in. He [my opponent] is a beast, he is powerful, he is tough, he does not let go! If I had gone head-on, I would have ran into him, so I had to be cunning. I went for the choke and in the end, it paid off,” commented the brand new champion, belt over shoulder.

For its return to Reims Arena, one year on from inaugurating the venue, HEXAGONE MMA has once again brought an exceptional show to the region. In front of more than 3000 people, the K-O and spectacular victories followed one after another, most notably among the local fighters. Originating from Reims, star Anthony Dizy sealed his return to the cage with a decision victory over Peruvian Roger Garcia following a three-round war. “I had retired but I thought it would be a shame to go without having fought at home. Ultimately, I just continued doing what I’ve been doing for years.”
 

The other Rémois on the card, Alexis Fontes was more expedient in securing a stunning submission over Kevin Del in under two minutes. “I was under pressure… because I only had two weeks of full training… Three months ago, I had surgery for Staphylococcus aureus in my thigh: within two days, I almost lost my leg, I had the beginning of sepsis. And five weeks ago, I caught a new staphylococcus aureus in my kneecap. Everyone told me to cancel the fight, but I held on and it was worth it. »

Elsewhere on the card, Mehdi Ben Lakhdhar proved unsuccessful in a shock upset. Previously undefeated, the Frenchman suffered his first defeat, by TKO in round 1 at the hands of Venezuelan Kevin Pastran. This will have served a tough blow to one of the event’s stars who was making his début on French soil. No less eagerly awaited by fans, Matthieu Letho Duclos offered the crowd cause for celebration as he delivered a victory by technical knockout in the first round over Geison Santana Moreno.  “He was solid, we were both after violence but I was the best tonight. The next step is the belt! I have the way open now to go get it. I will do everything to seize it. »

For Eva Dourthe, a HEXAGONE MMA world title shot is also looming following her decision victory over Brazilian Andressa Romero in the night’s title elimination match. The French woman is now set to challenge Samantha Jean-François for the -52 kg the belt in a fight that promises to be fiery.

All in all, the prospects are bright for HEXAGONE MMA, which has already announced its return to Reims Arena next year on May 24, 2024. And there is no doubt that the public will once again be there to welcome the promotion.

HEXAGONE MMA: OFFICIAL FIGHT RESULTS
 

World Heavyweight CHAMPIONSHIP – Men’s -120.2 kg / 265 lbs
Prince Aounallah (France) def. Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze (Côte d’Ivoire) by TKO, Round 4

Lightweight Bout – Men’s -70.3 kg/ 155lbs
Anthony Dizy (France) def. Roger Garcia (Peru) by Unanimous Decision

Catchweight Bout – Men’s -73kg
Kevin Pastran (Venezuela) def. Mehdi Ben Lakhdhar (France) by TKO, Round 1

Lightweight Bout – Men’s -70.3 kg / 155 lbs
Abu Tounkara (France) def. Tim Barnett (England) by Unanimous Decision

Strawweight Bout – Women’s -52.1 kg / 166 lbs
Eva Dourthe (France) def. Andressa Romero (Brazil) by Unanimous Decision

Middleweight Bout – Men’s -83.9kg / 185lbs
Matthieu Letho Duclos (France) def. Geison Santana Moreno (Spain) by TKO, Round 1

Catchweight Bout – Men’s -88kg
Martin Horsky (Czech Republic) defeated Chresus Mokima (France) by Unanimous Decision

Middleweight Bout – Men’s -83.9 kg / 185 lbs
Alexis Fontes (France) def. Kevin Del (France) by Submission, Round 1

Lightweight Bout – Men’s -70.3 kg /155 lbs
Nicolae Bivol (France) def. Jason Polydor (France) by Unanimous Decision