Lightheavyweight
Nell Ariano 5-0
Another French prospect coming from the amateur scene who is shining as a professional. IMMAF European Champion in 2022, Nell Ariano learned his trade in the amateur ranks before turning professional. Coming from a judo background, he trained at INSEP and competed in several international championships and was part of the national elite for several years. After this successful career, he transitioned to MMA after the lockdown and achieved the amateur success mentioned earlier.
In 2024, he made his professional debut at Cage Warriors, the organization where he has fought and won all of his bouts. In five fights, he has recorded four finishes and victories over well-known names on the British scene, such as Danny Hartwell, IMMAF vice world champion, and Farshad Nazarnia. With five wins, Ariano should be the next challenger for the title.
As a former judoka, Ariano has an excellent clinch, strong throws, and effective trips to bring the fight to the ground, where he works very well with ground-and-pound to finish the fight. His takedown defense is excellent, but when he is taken down himself, he has some difficulty getting back to his feet. His striking is solid, though there are still some questions in that area. Nell Ariano is clearly the French light heavyweight closest to the UFC. With a title win at Cage Warriors, he could enter the big leagues as early as 2026.
Bafodé Gassama 2-0
Last on this list, Bafodé Gassama is another French fighter from the IMMAF generation. Having started MMA in 2022, Gassama quickly fought and performed on the French amateur circuit. With a 15–4 record, an AEC championship belt, and a runner-up finish at the IMMAF World Championships, he established himself—before even turning pro—as one of the light heavyweight prospects to watch.
His debut at Hexagone MMA was highly anticipated and did not disappoint, as he rattled off three first-round knockouts. The violence of his ground-and-pound left a strong impression on the audience. He literally destroyed Moussa Ndiaye and Stéphane Coignon, and also showed serious knockout power by putting Valik Potyrlyu out cold with a heavy hook. His fights have highlighted his wrestling skills and cage control, qualities that make him a real danger in the heavier weight classes, where few fighters know how to properly defend takedowns.
In 2026, Gassama is expected to fight for and become Hexagone MMA champion. He is one of the organization’s stars, and with his division currently without a champion, it seems logical that he would get his opportunity. If he manages to stay active early in the year by winning the belt and defending it, he could become a contender for the DWCS in a division that lacks talent.
Hoborable mentions:
- William Loussala (1-0)
- Teiki Nauta (3-1)