Morgan Charriere scored a one-punch knockout at last year's Paris event

UFC Set for Explosive Return to Paris in September

Fight Night Confirmed at Accor Arena as French Stars Wait in the Wings

The Octagon is heading back to the City of Light. The UFC has officially announced its return to Paris, with a Fight Night card set to take place on 6 September 2025 at the Accor Arena—a venue that’s fast becoming a European fight hub. It’ll mark the fourth consecutive year that the UFC has staged an event in the French capital, underlining just how rapidly the sport has grown in a country that only legalised MMA five years ago.

Though the headliner is still under wraps, a host of top-tier French talent remain on standby—and fans can expect a card packed with local flair and European firepower.

MMA’s Rapid Rise in France

Back in 2020, when MMA finally received official recognition in France, few could have predicted how quickly the sport would capture the national imagination. Fast forward to 2025, and UFC Paris has become a staple on the organisation’s European calendar, joining cities like London and Stockholm as key destinations for international events.

The Accor Arena, situated in the Bercy neighbourhood on the Right Bank, has proven to be a cauldron for French fight fans. The atmosphere at past UFC Paris events has been electric, with crowds rallying behind their homegrown heroes and creating an environment that mirrors the most raucous arenas in Brazil, the UK, or the US.

With no headliner announced yet for this year’s edition, speculation is already swirling around which French star will top the bill in September.

Ciryl Gane and Benoît Saint Denis Among Headlining Contenders

UFC RETURNS TO PARIS FOR MUST-SEE NIGHT OF ACTION ON SEPTEMBER 6 AT ACCOR ARENA | UFC

The most obvious candidate for main event duties is Ciryl Gane. The former interim UFC heavyweight champion is a Paris native and has headlined two of the previous three UFC cards in France. With his fluid movement, pinpoint striking, and calm demeanour, Gane is both a fan favourite and a legitimate contender in a division still ruled—albeit quietly—by Jon Jones.

If Gane isn’t handed top billing, then Benoît Saint Denis might get a second chance to headline in front of his countrymen. The all-action lightweight, known as “God of War”, brought the house down in Paris last year before suffering a tough loss to Renato Moicano. Despite that setback, Saint Denis remains one of the most exciting prospects in the 155-pound division and would relish another main event slot on home soil.

Then there’s Manon Fiorot, fresh off a flyweight title challenge. Fiorot has long been viewed as one of the most well-rounded and dangerous women’s fighters in the world. Her blend of striking discipline and cage control makes her a serious threat to anyone at 125 lbs. Given the UFC’s push to highlight female stars in key international markets, Fiorot as a headliner wouldn’t come as a shock.

And let’s not overlook Nassourdine Imavov, a slick middleweight with legitimate top-10 credentials. Imavov has been building momentum steadily, and a co-main or even headline spot in Paris could be the perfect stage for him to make a statement.

UFC Paris 2025: A Launchpad for European Stars?

The UFC has already been to London this year, but outside of that and the upcoming Azerbaijan debut on 21 June, its European tour has been relatively quiet. That makes UFC Paris 2025 even more significant. It’s one of the few remaining opportunities for European fighters to compete close to home, in front of fans who understand and appreciate their journeys.

For Oban Elliott, the Welshman set to compete in Baku later this month, UFC Paris might not be on the cards, but other Europeans without matchups could find themselves drafted in. Fighters like Scotland’s Paul Craig, Ireland’s Ian Garry, or Germany’s Nasrat Haqparast could all be candidates for appearances on the card, either to bolster fan interest or provide stern tests for up-and-coming names.

Paris, then, is not just a showcase—it’s a proving ground.

The Bigger Picture: Who Rules the UFC Right Now?

As the Paris event nears, it’s worth taking a look at who currently sits atop the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. These are the fighters everyone else is chasing—the ones with the biggest targets on their backs:

Islam Makhachev – The reigning lightweight champion has cemented his place as the top dog with his calculated, suffocating style.
Jon Jones – Despite inactivity due to injury, the heavyweight king still holds massive sway over the division.
Ilia Topuria – The newly crowned featherweight champ has exploded into the spotlight with flair and ferocity.
Merab Dvalishvili – After finally securing gold at bantamweight, his relentless pace and pressure remain unmatched.
Dricus du Plessis – The South African middleweight champion blends toughness and chaos to thrilling effect.
Magomed Ankalaev – The light heavyweight champion brings Dagestani discipline to the 205-pound ranks.
Alexander Volkanovski – The Aussie is still among the best, even after losing his featherweight crown.
Alex Pereira – The former middleweight champ now rules at light heavyweight, bringing power and drama wherever he goes.
Jack Della Maddalena – The welterweight king continues to rise with each thrilling performance.
Alexandre Pantoja – The flyweight champion remains consistent, clinical, and criminally underrated.

While none of these names are expected in Paris, they set the standard that rising stars like Saint Denis, Fiorot, and Imavov aspire to reach.

September in Paris: A Date to Circle

For now, all eyes are on 6 September. As anticipation builds, fans can only speculate about what the UFC has in store for its French faithful. Will Gane return? Can Saint Denis bounce back? Might Fiorot headline in a historic first for a French woman?

Whatever the matchups, UFC Paris 2025 promises to be another electric night in a city that has fallen head over heels for MMA. If past editions are anything to go by, expect a sold-out arena, fireworks inside the cage, and another unforgettable chapter in France’s fast-developing love affair with the UFC.