Ares and Hexagone MMA come under same ownership

The French MMA landscape is consolidating as the investment fund behind Ares Fighting Championship has acquired a controlling stake in Hexagone MMA, uniting two of the country's major promotions under single ownership. Xavier Marin, founder and CEO of the Trail investment fund, announced the move to L'Equipe with an ambitious vision: to establish the combined entity as France's clear number-one promotion and expand into a dominant position across Europe within three years. Ares FC has historically centered its operations around Paris and maintains deep ties to MMA Factory, the renowned gym that produced UFC heavyweight contenders Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. The consolidation represents a significant shift in French MMA's competitive landscape and signals an aggressive growth strategy as the promotion eyes continental expansion beyond its domestic stronghold.