HEXAGONE MMA 45: Navero vs. Baybatyrov Brings Rivalry to Lyon

HEXAGONE MMA 45 takes place on Friday, 12th June 2026, at LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines, France, and is headlined by a heated 64 kg catchweight grudge match between Paul Denis Navero and Anzor Baybatyrov. The card is built around one of the most personal rivalries in French MMA, while also showcasing a deep lineup of European prospects and regional talent.

Main Event

Paul Denis Navero, better known online as Paul Dena, enters the main event with a perfect 3-0 professional record and a 100 percent finishing rate. He built his reputation with explosive striking, including a famous five-second high-kick knockout at Hexagone MMA 20 and another sharp TKO win at Hexagone MMA 37.

Anzor Baybatyrov brings a different kind of momentum into the fight. The Caen-based fighter is 5-2 overall, riding a five-fight winning streak, and every one of those victories has come by finish.

That contrast makes the matchup especially compelling. Navero has the bigger online profile and the sharper knockout highlight reel, while Baybatyrov has the more seasoned professional résumé and a reputation for pressure and ground control.

Rivalry And Stakes

This fight has been building for nearly three years, dating back to the amateur circuit and the YouTuber-driven MMA scene. The bad blood became more visible during the official press conference, where both men exchanged sharp words and openly questioned each other’s level.

Navero has promised a rapid knockout, which fits his style and his public persona. Baybatyrov, meanwhile, has tried to reduce the hype by arguing that Navero has not yet faced real professional opposition.

That emotional layer gives the bout real significance beyond the catchweight number itself. A win here is not just about staying unbeaten or extending a streak; it is about settling a personal score in front of a major French crowd.

Card Depth

The co-main event features Matthieu Letho Duclos against Norbert Novenyi Jr. in the middleweight Grand Prix final, which adds real sporting weight to the card. That fight gives the event a second major storyline and helps frame it as more than a single-fight showcase.

Other notable matchups include Samba Sima vs. Leonardo de Oliveira at flyweight, Anas Azizoun vs. Youssouf Ouattara at bantamweight, Allan Landouzy vs. Abdul Hussainkhil, and Mazri Ammar vs. Nessim Khettou. The undercard also includes bouts involving Guillaume Delattre, Noelle Grandjean, Taylor Lapilus, and others, giving the show a broad and competitive feel.

What To Watch

The key question is whether Navero can turn his speed and power into another early finish. His past performances suggest that if he finds range quickly, he can change the fight in an instant.

Baybatyrov’s path is more about durability, pressure, and forcing the fight into uncomfortable positions. If he can drag Navero into longer exchanges or make the bout physical, he may be able to expose the difference between social-media hype and pro-level experience.

Final Outlook

HEXAGONE MMA 45 has the kind of main event that can carry a card on emotion alone, but the supporting lineup gives it real depth as well. The rivalry between Navero and Baybatyrov should bring tension, while the Grand Prix final adds a legitimate competitive layer.

With a local crowd, a strong French storyline, and several promising prospects underneath, the event looks set to be one of the promotion’s most notable shows of the year.