Top Ukrainian and international fighters will face off in a summer event that promises high-level bouts and rising stars’ breakout performances.

In July, the capital of Ukraine will host a prestigious high-level tournament for masters of mixed martial arts, organized by the new domestic MMA League.

In Kyiv, a press conference was held to present Arena Championship – a new Ukrainian project in the world of combat sports within an MMA promotion.

One of the founders of this League, European MMA Champion Ludvik Sholinyan, announced the plan to stage a grand mixed martial arts tournament in July.

“The main goals of the Arena Championship promotion company are the development of MMA in Ukraine, promoting Ukrainian athletes to leading world organizations, and training young athletes to become competitive at the highest-level tournaments,” emphasized Sholinyan. “I’m confident that the competition night in July will be very spectacular. Spectators will see performances by the best and most decorated fighters in the country. As for the tournament format, it is the usual for such competitions – each bout lasts three five-minute rounds.”

– Sholinyan

Participants and the Tournament Format

The tournament participants were announced, including: Olympic champion, holder of a silver medal at the Games and multiple world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling Zhan Beleniuk, two-time Olympic vice-champion Parviz Nasibov, world-renowned stars of various fighting styles Dmitry and Vladyslav Parubchenko, Bovar Khanakov Gladiator, Artem Nechipurenko Agressor, Vitaliy Opalko, Muhamed Mshenesh, Shamil and Bashir Mustafayev, Sultan Veliev, Mykola Martynuk, Ivan Zinchenko, Oleksiy Strizhko, as well as Israeli fighter Haim Gozali.

As is tradition in professional combat sports, the future tournament opponents held ‘face-offs’.

The anticipated tournament is expected to attract fans and become an important step in the development of mixed martial arts in Ukraine.

Such events can boost the development of mixed martial arts in Ukraine and provide Ukrainian athletes with new opportunities on the world stage.