From the island of Réunion, 31-year-old Anthony Morel impresses with every bout in the cage.
After a perfect start to his career (3 wins), the Frenchman will be looking to continue his streak on
March 15, in Poitiers, at HEXAGONE MMA 15. This is his chance to establish himself as a serious
challenger for the organization’s heavyweight belt.
Having just passed his thirties, Anthony Morel began his career in mixed martial arts with the aim of
“enjoying himself as much as possible”. A good competitor, the Frenchman can’t deny the “dreams
of greatness” that creep into his mind as he tackles this new challenge. “Of course, I think about it! I
know that with heavyweights, everything can happen very quickly, much more so than in other
categories. “At the moment, I don’t have enough hindsight to announce high ambitions, so I’m
keeping my feet on the ground”. Yet there are plenty of reasons to believe. Crowned French
freestyle wrestling champion, French Greco-Roman wrestling vice-champion, and multiple grappling
medalist, Anthony Morel has a wealth of experience in grappling disciplines, which form an excellent
skill base. And given his first MMA victory, achieved with a reverse elbow strike, striking doesn’t
seem to be a major shortcoming either.
“I practice with the best on the island”.
Wrestling, ground and pound, boxing… The next logical step was obviously to get into the cage. This
transition to mixed martial arts has its roots on the Reunion’s Island, 10,000 kilometers from Paris,
where Anthony Morel was born, lives, and still trains, despite a much less developed infrastructure
than in the capital. “These aren’t famous gyms or big MMA clubs. But we have excellent wrestling,
floor, and boxing schools, so I practice with the best on the island in each discipline!” And even if
martial arts don’t yet represent a full-time job for him, Anthony Morel devotes himself to the sport,
aware of what it has brought him. “Sport has helped me enormously. Let’s just say that I wasn’t an
angel and that it helped me to improve my lifestyle, as well as my behavior. Today’s goals are
different, but highly challenging!”
WATCH LIVE this Friday on www.fightplus.eu
