Mansour Barnaoui (30) was born in Tunisia, a country that his parents left two weeks after his birth to come and settle in France, more precisely in Malakoff (Hauts-de-Seine).
It was in this city that he started combat sports, thanks to an associative room created and directed by Aziz, his lifelong coach.
“
Aziz is a life coach, a big brother.
He has known me since I was 5 years old and saw me grow when he was 20. It was he who introduced me to combat sports with the luta livre
, ”confides the fighter to Figaro.
Thanks to his spectacular fights on the ground of South Korea during the great tournament of 1 million dollars of ROAD FC, which he won in 2019, he was nicknamed by the Japanese fans who came en masse to see him fight "
The Afro Samurai
”.
After this sparkling victory by rear choke in the 1st round and the pocketed million dollars which was used in part to offer a house to his mother, radio silence.
Already extremely discreet about his communication on social networks, the fans have had no further news.
“
I needed to take a break.
I had been fighting at a breakneck pace since I was 19 and all over the world.
It was time for me to breathe a little to start again better
, ”he explains to us.
A lack of communication which costs him a well-deserved notoriety
Mansour Barnaoui has one of the best finish rates in the world, 95% of his fights did not go to their terms (13 submissions, 6 KO/TKO).
For 20 victories and only 4 defeats in the decision against world luminaries, like the Dagestani Islam Makhachev in a controversial fight (world number 2 in all categories at the UFC), a fight only ended in the decision.
“
The victory against the Frenchman Yves Landu was the hardest to win, it was a magnificent fight!
But, going back to the controversy in my loss to Islam Makhachev, I should have won that fight.
As I was submitting it, the ref stopped us because Islam had lost his mouth guard.
We were on the ground, he didn't need his gumshield.
Especially that, a few more seconds, and Islam would have been forced to give up
, ”he explains.
Despite one of the most impressive track records in the MMA planet, Mansour Barnaoui is not known to the general French public.
The lack of communication on social networks, the few interviews in the media and his break when MMA was going to be legalized in France a few months later played against him.
"
I tried to get started, but I can't, social networks take too much time and too much energy,
" he slips.
“
The Afro Samurai
”, centerpiece of Bellator MMA
This lack of notoriety in his country and on the international scene, despite fighting in the four corners of the world, did not prevent him from signing a contract for several fights with Bellator MMA.
For his first fight in the American organization in October 2022, thus marking his big comeback after three years of absence, he was propelled to the top of the bill.
And “
The Afro Samurai
won by rear choke during the 2nd round with disconcerting ease, against the American Adam Piccolotti at the Allianz Cloud Arena in Milan. Bellator MMA knows the talent of Mansour Barnaoui.
If his lack of communication fails him, his track record and his career as a victorious globetrotter are sizeable arguments to sell places after a good job of marketing on the part of the organization.
For his second fight within it, the organization offered him to participate in the lightweight tournament with, at the end of the day, a million dollars.
Another sign and a pledge of recognition from Bellator MMA for the Frenchman who intends to make people talk about him, and finally reap the notoriety he should have had for years.
His last fight in France dates back to... 2011!
Early MMA fans - as well as those who have emerged since the discipline was legalized in France in January 2020 - will thus have the opportunity to see Mansour Barnaoui speak in the Bellator cage at the Accor Arena. Bercy this Friday, May 12.
“
I am delighted to fight in France in front of my public, my family and my friends.
My last fight in France dates back to 2011. I don't feel any pressure, only joy!
“, he says, big smile and bright eyes.
For the quarter-final of the $1 million tournament, “
The Afro Samurai
” (30 years old, 20v-4d, 13 submissions and 6 KO/TKO) will face the American Brent Primus (38 years old, 11v-3d, 6 submissions and 2 KO/TKO).
"
He defines himself as the best grappler in the world, it's going to be a good fight
," says his coach.
Meet on Friday May 12 at the Accor Arena Bercy to attend BELLATOR 296 from 8:30 p.m. (live on RMC SPORT).