Aymard Guih is Ready to be France’s Guiding Light in Bellator
With France, the latest to join the fray and legalize MMA earlier in 2020, more and more French fighters will come to the forefront. Bellator is set to become the first major organization to host an event since the legalization with Bellator 248 set to take place in Paris this weekend. One of those names that will be leading the French invasion is a recent Bellator victor in Aymard Guih. Taking a fight on short notice, Guih defeated Chris Bungard at Bellator Euro Series 9 last week.
The Path to Bellator
Born in the Ivory Coast, Guih moved to France as a child at the age of five. Before entering the world of mixed martial arts, Guih earned his judo black belt, making for a dangerous background art. Similar to football hall of fame Lynn Swann, Guih took dancing classes as a child, which paid off giving him amazing footwork in the cage with a nice, bouncing Southpaw stance.
Guih is a veteran of the sport, currently in his eighth year as a professional. With 26 bouts currently under his belt and a handful of championships, Bellator gold could be in his future. “I was very happy that Bellator offered me the opportunity to fight for a major organization. I was even happier to win this fight because this victory doesn’t only belong to me,” Guih told MyMMANews. Guih is represented by Resilience Sport Management, a French-based MMA sports agency created in 2008, with who he shares the win with. Resilience and Guih have a very close relationship.
S 70: Plotforma Cup 2014
In front of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, Guih walked onto enemy territory and competed for S-70 in Sochi, Russia. The card was presented as a “Russia vs The World” type presentation with a Russian fighter in each of the 10 bouts against a representative of a handful of other nations. In addition to President Putin’s presence, the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan were also in attendance along with several other high-placed Russian officials. The Russians took nine of the night’s 10 bouts. The one bout won by a foreigner was Guih’s bout against then-undefeated Dmitry Bikrev.
MMA Legalization in France
“MMA” as we know it in the United States, was not seen the same in France. If bouts did occur in France, they had to take place under Pancrase rules or rules of some other art. Ground striking was also not allowed within the borders of France. In 2009 France created a non-profition organization, The Commission National de Mixed Martial Arts, to begin laying the groundwork to create a functioning body to regulate and control MMA within the country. It took over 10 years, but France declared mixed martial arts legal within the country starting January 01, 2020.
“It’s satisfying to finally see MMA legalized. The sport is already very popular here! And from now on, it will be even more!” Guih stated. Bellator is the first major organization to capitalize on the legalization, with Bellator 248 set for Paris, France this Saturday. Bellator has made it quite known they are making a huge push in the European market. They even created a line of events, Euro Series, that take place in European cities with European fighters.
Cheick Kongo, longtime MMA veteran and French-born fighter, will co-main event Bellator 248, but the 45-year-old is at the end of his career. France needs another face to carry the torch into 2021. Guih can be that fighter. As long as he continues to display his amazing footwork and great takedowns, he can fight his way to the top of the division.
