HEXAGONE MMA revealed major bouts for its 8th fight night on 3 June 2023 at Béziers Arena in France. In the main event, Dean Garnett (10-2-1, UK) faces Lucas Corbage (11-1, Argentina) for the world featherweight title. Garnett, made his name across promotions such as Cage Warriors and Bellator, famously turning down his call to the UFC to meet Magomed Magomedov at ACB.
The majority of his wins (50%) are by submission, with only 30% left to the judges’ scorecards. His most recent victory at HEXAGONE MMA 6 was by KO at 20 seconds into the first round. Fighting out of Nova União Argentina, Corbage comes from a fight team traditionally renowned for its Brazilian jiu-jitsu but boasts international MMA names, with José Aldo as its most prominent export. Corbage has 6 x 1st round finishes to his name with 36% obtained by submission and 36% via strikes over a nine-year professional career.
In the co-main event, Mehdi Ben Lakhdhar (6-0-1, France) meets Wanderson Barcelos (6-1, Brazil) in a men’s middleweight clash. Training out of Paris, “The Last Uchiwa” Lakhdhar stands undefeated. With 50% of his overall victories by strikes and 50% by decision, the fast-rising talent has attracted attention with a spate of 3 x first-round TKO finishes across his 5 bouts at Cage Warriors. His explosiveness is well reflected in his anime-inspired fighter name since the ‘Uchiwa’ (Uchicha) clan is defined by its combat skills and signature “Great Fireball Technique”. Wanderson “Gago” Barcelos fights out of Team Base MMA in Rio de Janeiro, with a history of finishing fights in the 1st or 2nd round and the majority by strikes. HEXAGONE MMA 8 will mark Barcelos’ international debut.
The third major bout takes place between Karla Benitez (19-16-1, Venezuela) and Stephanie Ielo Page (7-4-0, France) in a women’s strawweight match-up. Both will be looking to redeem themselves from recent losses with the promotion. Benitez lost to former champion Laetitia Blot at HEXAGONE MMA 6, following a prior win over Lucie Bertaud at HEXAGONE MMA 3. Based in Spain, the Venezuelan brings long international experience from across shows, including Hombres de Honour, Bellator, and Super Fight League. Of her recorded finishes, 63% have been obtained by strikes. 34-year-old, Bellator veteran Stephanie Ielo Page lost to Eva Dourthe (France) by Unanimous Decision at HEXAGONE MMA 6. Born and resident in Brest, France, where she trains at the Boxing Lab, Page proudly celebrates her New Caledonian heritage. Before converting to MMA, Page first attained success as a striker with five world championships in Thai boxing and four world titles in K1.
Six more fights have been added to the which card and have already been partially unveiled by the organization and include fights of a very high level.
“We have put together a top-level card”, says Mathieu Nicourt, matchmaker and sports director of the organization. “In addition to the stars who will headline the event, we have selected the best fighters from the south of France, whether they are already known or at the beginning of their careers.”
Between now and June, more names will be announced, for what should be one of the highlights of the HEXAGONE MMA’s season. See below for the HEXAGONE MMA 8 fight card so far.
HEXAGONE MMA 8 FIGHT CARD
World Featherweight CHAMPIONSHIP – Men’s 65.8kg / 145 lbs:
Dean Garnett (UK, 10-2-1, sur 2 W) vs. Lucas Corbage (11-1, Argentine)
Lightweight Bout – Men’s 70.3kg / 155lbs:
Ben Lakhdhar (6-0-1, France) vs. Wanderson Barcelos (6-1, Brésil)
Middleweight Bout – Men’s 83.9kg / 185 lbs:
Antony Réa (38-15, France) vs. Mohamed El Dwansy (12-10, Egypte)
Strawweight Bout – Women’s 52.2kg / 115lbs:
-52kg F Karla Benitez (19-16-1, Venezuela) vs. Ielo Page (7-5, Nouvelle-Calédonie)
Middleweight Bout – Men’s 83.9 kg / 185lbs:
Laïd Zerhouni (10-8, France) VS Michal Dobias (11-11, Slovakia)
Featherweight Bout – Men’s 65.8kg / 145 lbs: Jack Claffey (0-1, England) VS Yassin Chtatou (1-2-1, France)
Featherweight Bout – Men’s 65.8kg / 145 lbs:
Quentin Arola (3-5, France) VS Parwaiz Arabzai (4-3, France via Afghanistan)
Catchweight Bout – Men’s 80kg:
Frankie Rollandt (4-6, Carcassonne, France) VS Allan Taibi (2-5, Narbonne, France)
Welterweight Bout – Men’s -77.1 kg/ 170 lbs :
Mathieu RAKOTONDRAZANANY (2-3, Narbonne, France) VS Fernando Calvo (5-3, Spain)
UPCOMING HEXAGONE MMA DATES:
June 3, 2023: HEXAGONE MMA 8 at the Arena of Béziers
June 17, 2023: HEXAGONE MMA 9 at the Reims Arena
July 28, 2023: HEXAGONE MMA 10 at the ancient theater of Orange
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UAE-based Senior Journalist covering sports events in the Arab world. Humanist by passion. Got a story? DM or Email me at mahaousdi@gmail.com
