He never gave up.
It's not in his mentality.
But Mathieu Nicourt, former "fighter" and now organizer of MMA events, acronym of Mixed Martial Arts, in France does not hide his relief at the approach of the home stretch.
"It was a real fight," smiles the person in specialist.
Saturday evening, he offers the FFA Challenge at the SDLC Center in Maurepas.
A huge complex dedicated to combat sports run by his friend Yann Lamothe.
If in the United States, or in the four corners of the planet, MMA meetings are held every week, this is only the 3rd event of its kind in France after the one organized in Vitry-sur-Seine (Val-de- Marne) then the one at the Accor Arena (Paris XIIth), offered by the Americans at Bellator, in October.
"The pros can train but can no longer earn a living through fighting"
"I have had this event in mind since October or November but the health crisis cut us off in our tracks," assures the boss of the Free Fight Academy, a Parisian club with several fighters competing on Saturday.
Our discipline has only been authorized in France for a year, when the pandemic broke out.
The situation is tough for everyone, but MMA fighters have been hit hard.
As professionals, they can train but they can no longer make a living through fighting.
They are forced to go to events abroad to fight.
This evening is also made for them, to allow them to learn their skills in France, to make themselves known so that they can then continue their career in the United States in the UFC
(Editor's note: the prestigious championship of the discipline)
.
"
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If the meeting will be held behind closed doors due to the health situation in France, the proposed fights will be available on the Fight Nation media platform, "a first", savors Nicourt, 48 years old including 25 in combat sport.
“It was a big struggle to organize and we thought we were going to lose money with this event but our energy convinced partners to follow us, continues the one who won 2 European championship titles from Vale Tudo, ancestor of MMA.
We will be close to the point of equilibrium.
We feel a craze around our sport.
A few days after the announcement of the meeting on social networks, we had more than 60 applications.
It reassures and it proves that there is currently a lack.
"
A clash between Rizlen Zouak and the Dutch Senna Veerdonk
The meeting will pit the best fighters from several reputable clubs - such as Fernand Lopez's MMA Factory, which launched the current stars of the discipline, Francis Ngannou, recent heavyweight champion of the UFC, or Cyril Gane.
The evening will be punctuated by a female shock between the French Rizlen Zouak and the Dutch Senna Veerdonk in less than 61 kg.
“We put pressure on ourselves to make sure everything is perfect,” says Nicourt.
We are affiliated with the Boxing Federation and we know that we will be expected at the turn.
We follow the health protocol to the letter.
Coaches must have diplomas and fighters must pass a series of medical exams.
But we know we have to go through this.
If it works well, we would like to have 6 meetings per year thereafter.
"
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