Hexagone MMA 37
100K tournament
Théo Ulrich (6-0) vs David Sipra (5-0)
A pure striker’s clash in the lightweight tournament, and a potential war not to be missed. At 33 years old, the Hexagone tournament likely represents David Sipra’s biggest opportunity to make a statement in MMA. A former member of the military, Sipra launched his career in 2019 with a first-round knockout. He then honed his skills on the Swiss amateur scene, winning three times at HFC.
It was at Hexagone where he truly broke through. With four wins in four appearances—each a hard-fought battle that electrified French crowds—Sipra has established himself as a mainstay of the promotion. A solid striker with respectable takedown defense, Sipra is known for his durability and granite chin. His most recent victory over the previously unbeaten Julian Schlouch stands as a career-defining win while showcasing his high level.
Despite that, Sipra enters this matchup as the underdog against one of Hexagone’s top prospects. After an impressive amateur career (12–1), Ulrich turned professional in early 2024. His striking and knockout power quickly made him a fan favorite. With five finishes in six fights, Ulrich has demonstrated a clear ability to end bouts decisively.
However, several question marks remain. He tends to absorb a fair amount of damage, which could prove costly against a striker of Sipra’s caliber. Additionally, the level of competition he has faced has been relatively modest, as is often the case at Hexagone. Sipra represents by far the toughest test of Ulrich’s career. While Ulrich enters as the favorite, he will need to justify that status.
A high-quality matchup that should not be missed.
Nicolae Bivol (6-2) vs Ryan Eren Agbo (5-0)
Another high-profile clash between two elite French prospects headlines the quarterfinal stage of the Hexagone tournament. Eren Agbo is a familiar name to our readers, having been featured earlier on the site, which can be viewed here. Since then, Agbo has added to his résumé by successfully defending his Striker lightweight title, submitting his opponent in the second round.
Grappling remains Agbo’s primary weapon, and should the fight hit the canvas, Bivol would be in serious trouble. All five of Agbo’s professional victories have come by submission, making it imperative for Bivol to keep the bout standing—especially considering his most recent defeat, a submission loss to Varela in a fight for the Hexagone title.
Bivol, however, is a highly entertaining and dangerous striker, known for a string of highlight-reel knockouts. He notably outclassed Varela, a former kickboxer, on the feet before ultimately being submitted. While his grappling and wrestling are serviceable, they appear to be the weaker areas of his game.
Unlike Agbo, Bivol has already tested himself against high-level opposition, most notably Varela—an ex-KSW title contender—and El Hadj Ndiaye, a proven lightweight on the European circuit. Although both bouts resulted in defeats, Bivol delivered strong performances that highlighted his potential.
As a result, Bivol enters the matchup as the slight favorite. If he has addressed his takedown defense and ground game, he should be able to control the fight. The key question remains whether Agbo can impose his grappling and pull off the upset.
Paul Denis Navero (2-0)
Paul Dena was already covered extensively in our feature on the 14 French prospects to watch in 2026 here. The French standout continues his upward trajectory this Friday in Paris. Headlining for the second time under the organization’s banner, Dena further cements his growing star status.
He is set to face Paulo Santos (2–2), a durable and well-rounded opponent, though one who appears to be within Dena’s range on paper. The bout offers Dena an opportunity to pursue his third professional finish and further assert himself as a rising force in the bantamweight division.
With the division reshaped by the departures of Hamou and Adiguzel, the path to the title has opened considerably. This matchup could therefore represent Dena’s final step before a potential championship opportunity at Hexagone.
Samba Sima (2-0)
Following the cancellation of his most recent bout, Samba Sima returns to Hexagone this Friday. For a deeper look at his background, readers are encouraged to consult the feature previously written about him here. Sima is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising flyweight prospects. With two emphatic professional finishes to his name, the momentum and attention surrounding him continue to build.
For his return, he is set to face Germany’s Nikolaj Makarenko (1–0, 4–0 amateur). On paper, Sima enters the matchup as a clear favorite and is expected to showcase his superiority. Another highlight-reel finish from the Frenchman would come as no surprise.
While a title shot may still be some distance away, an active 2026 could put Sima firmly on track for a championship opportunity by the end of the year.
Alex Tekenah (6-2) vs Talitah Soares (9-5)
Will Alex Tekenah finally manage to capture a championship? After two unsuccessful title bids at ARES, she will get another opportunity this Friday—this time at Hexagone.
An excellent striker, known for her aggressive and entertaining style, Tekenah’s ground game remains her most significant weakness. Both of her career losses have come by submission, and against a champion who is comfortable on the mat, the danger is very real.
Soares, meanwhile, will look to defend her title for the third time and potentially earn herself an opportunity with a larger organization.
One of the brightest prospects in women’s MMA returns to Hexagone. Following a highly successful amateur career—highlighted by an IMMAF world championship title—Océane Samson turned professional in 2025.
Her professional debut ended in a 30-second knockout, instantly confirming the hype surrounding her. Her upcoming opponent, MarÃa RodrÃguez, should provide another opportunity for Samson to shine.