The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

MMA: the MMA Factory, a land of welcome for foreign fighters

2022-04-15T17:06:16.430Z


Many foreign fighters come to the Paris region to take a step forward in their career despite the thousands of kilometers that separate them from home.


Brazil, Argentina, Russia... Fighters from all walks of life jostle at the gate of the MMA Factory, in Rungis.

All embrace the same wish: one day join the UFC.

With, as model, Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou, the stars passed by the room.

And if the first still trains there, it is not for him that practitioners from all over the world come to Paris.

But rather for Fernand Lopez, master of the place and renowned trainer.

For him, his training methods but also for his sense of hospitality.

An additional asset for these uprooted fighters who are sometimes thousands of kilometers from their homes.

When you're abroad, you don't have your bearings.

When you arrive at the airport and there is a car waiting for you, it feels good.

This welcoming side is very important.

This is the start of all these immigration projects to play sports

, ”confirms Ciryl Gane's coach.

Got a little cup, and I'm trying to empty the sea

Fernando Lopez

A privileged welcome from which Shakbulat Abuev in particular was able to benefit, who arrived from Moscow a year ago after having exchanged with Fernand Lopez on social networks.

Or the Argentinian Laureano Staropoli, former UFC fighter, who came to regain his place at the highest level after three defeats in the queen category.

And finally, the Brazilian Alessandro Joseph who, after having scoured the halls of the region for a year, landed at the MMA Factory.

I like this idea of ​​giving my time to people I don't know.

Some are on the edge of the precipice, but giving them hope allows them to be reborn like a phoenix.

I have a small cup, and I try to empty the sea

”, image the one who also revealed Francis Ngannou.

Read alsoMMA: Ares, the young French league that is rising (very) quickly

French learning

In this world of "alpha males", it's hard to befriend other fighters.

However, at the MMA Factory, under the leadership of Fernand Lopez, the atmosphere is different.

Benevolent even.

I made some very good friends.

I live at the House of Fighters in Villeneuve-le-Roi.

It's important to be well surrounded, especially when you arrive alone

, ”smiles Laureano Staropoli, who arrived barely a month ago at Rungis.

At the "House of Fighters", the Argentinian, who will fight on Saturday at Ares 5, rubs shoulders with other fighters housed free of charge by the MMA Factory for the most precarious, while the others pay a low rent.

When I see Neymar who still does not speak French, it pains me because he has the means to learn

Alessandro Joseph, a fighter of Brazilian origin

Read alsoMMA: Dana White “absolutely” wants a UFC event in France in 2022

Here, even language is not a barrier.

"

French doesn't seem so hard to learn but I'm too lazy

," laughs Shakbulat Abuev, nicknamed Fearless (translated as "without fear") in the middle.

But speaking English, we are already in a comfort zone.

“Alessandro Joseph, known as “Donatello”, “

like the Ninja Turtle

”, he learned French in the cage, in training.

"In a year, I may be able to do interviews in French", imagines the Argentinian Laureano Staropoli Alexis Goudeau

"

When I arrived in France, I knew 'it's fine' and 'thank you'.

When I see Neymar who still doesn't speak French, it pains me, he has the means to learn.

Me, I never had lessons, I learned in the room

, ”he plants in impeccable French, only his accent betraying his South American origins.

I started taking lessons.

It is a beauty of sport to travel and learn languages.

Maybe in a year, I will be able to do interviews in French

”, continues Laureano Staropoli.

Soon under the tricolor flag?

Despite these integration efforts, the thousands of kilometers that separate them from home can sometimes be hard to bear for these fighters.

In training for a large part of the day, loneliness can be felt when disconnecting a bit from MMA.

Round trips to Paris and frenzied console games are sometimes not enough.

When I'm not in the room, I try to occupy myself differently.

It's hard not to see your family.

I try to stay focused, but it's hard.

In the evening, when I come home, I can't call my mother and when she gets out of work, it's three in the morning here.

“, sighs Alessandro Joseph, who has good hopes of bringing his brother to France for his next fight.

To avoid these blues, Shakbulat Abuev managed to bring his mother and sister with him, and lives with them in a small apartment near the hall.

"I'm ready to stay here, it's a question of loyalty," says Shakbulat Abuev.

Alexis Goudeau

However, Laureano Staropoli, Alessandro Joseph and Shakbulat Abuev would not leave the MMA Factory for anything in the world.

Even if Fernand allows me to reach the UFC, I will not leave.

I'm ready to stay here, it's a question of loyalty.

I was nobody when I arrived here

”, proclaims the latter.

This attachment to their coach also responds to a deep affection for France.

I see myself staying here.

It was a childhood dream to live in Europe one day,

” confides Laureano Staropoli, who arrived in the region barely a month ago.

During my last fight, I did not fight with the Russian flag but with the Chechen flag.

From now on, I want to represent France, it is very important for me

adds Shakbulat Abuev.

A way for him, as for the others, to immerse himself definitively in this new French adventure.

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2022-04-15

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.