Hexagone MMA 45 Lyon: the night that can change everything

First time in Lyon: Hexagone MMA marks its territory

Bordeaux. Orange. Now Lyon. Hexagone MMA advances like a methodical army — every major French arena becomes a conquest step. The LDLC Arena, modular, capable of hosting more than 10,000 spectators for this type of event, was waiting its turn.

On June 12, it will have it. Just steps from the Groupama Stadium, the modern arena of Décines transforms into a giant cage. XXL show, Winamax sponsorship, polished staging: the number 1 French promotion is not here to test the market. It’s here to plant its flag.

Samba Sima: the PXP fist coming home

At 22 years old, Samba Sima is already one of the biggest promises of French MMA. Even before turning pro, he had stacked titles: double French amateur champion, silver medalist at the European Championships, IMMAF world vice-champion in 2024. An amateur record in solid gold, built for a brutal pro transition.

Since he put a knee in the Hexagone cage, the record is flawless. Three outings, three wins. Violent KO in the first round against Kleider Sandoval at HXMMA 27. Clear wins against Zelimkhan Umarov at HXMMA 32, then Nikolaj Makarenko at HXMMA 37. Sima doesn’t bother with preliminaries — the strike is clean, the finish is quick.

At Project X Paris, we have followed Samba since his beginnings. He’s our fighter — the one whose rise crosses our urban DNA. On June 12 in Lyon, he faces Tilyaev for his fourth professional fight. One more step to climb on the road that must lead him to the top of the number 1 French promotion.

Paul Dena: 5 seconds that changed his career

Paul Denis Navero, aka Paul Dena, born in 2002 in Rennes. Three pro fights, three wins, one hundred percent finishes. And above all: the record for the fastest KO in Hexagone MMA history. Five seconds against Alex Andrews at HXMMA 20, in Colmar, September 2024. A perfectly placed high kick. A clip that went viral on social media.

The style? Offensive grappler — ground fighting specialist — combined with a striker able to finish a fight in less time than it takes to pour a drink. Judo, wrestling, high kicks: a complete arsenal, inherited from a decorated amateur career (2023 French amateur champion, bronze medal at the 2024 European Championships). Meanwhile, Dena has over 500,000 followers on YouTube and TikTok via his account @pauldenisnavero, documenting every step of his career.

Facing him, Anzor “Black Borz” Baybatyrov (5-2), a tough profile, more experienced in the cage, who will do everything to close the distance. Catchweight at 64 kilos, three rounds of five minutes. This is the test to see if the prodigy has a glass ceiling — or if he keeps exploding everything in his path.

€100,000 tournament: the final played in Lyon

Co-main event of the gala: the -84 kg tournament final, with €100,000 prize money, doubled with the vacant middleweight belt. Matthieu Letho-Duclos (10-3), the Parisian coached by Daniel Woirin, faces the Hungarian prodigy Norbert “Magic” Novenyi Jr. (10-1). Two dense records, one check.

Letho-Duclos arrives boosted by his TKO victory (referee stoppage) against Ilian Bouafia at HXMMA 43, after opponent injury. He has the tactical experience and clinical wear to execute his plan. Novenyi comes with a reputation as a complete fighter, lethal standing and on the ground. One hundred thousand euros is not a symbolic bonus — it’s the visa to the big fights.

Before the -84 kg final, the card also opens with the lightweight (-70 kg) tournament semi-final: the undefeated Théo Ulrich (7-0) against Nicolae Bivol (5-2). A style clash promising to be explosive. In total, about eight to ten fights announced according to Tapology and the promotion — last announcements still coming week after week.

How to experience the night of June 12 without missing anything?

Doors open at 6:15 or 6:30 PM depending on ticketing. First fights at 7:00 PM sharp. The main card takes over around 8:30-9:00 PM and the evening lasts about four hours. Get ready to keep going — Hexagone MMA doesn’t like dead time.

Prices: from 29 euros for upper categories, up to 99-299 euros for VIP packages and the best seats by the cage. Tickets on sale on the official OL Vallée / LDLC Arena website, Ticketmaster, Fnac Spectacles, Cultura and Leclerc Billetterie.

Easy access by tram and bus from Lyon city center, parking available on site if you come by car. TV broadcast live on RMC Sport in France, and probably on DAZN internationally. For last-minute announcements, keep an eye on the official Instagram account @hexagonemma.