Report for Geo Ado

Enzo, 16 years old, is a precocious fighter and future MMA prodigy. He is the pride of the Traveller community from which he comes, settled near Arcachon. Enzo started his Muy Thai training at a very young age with his father, Philippe, a former boxer who became his full-time mentor.

MMA, legalized in France in January 2020, is considered by the majority of people ignorant of combat sports, as a "wild" sport, without rules or values. Far from these prejudices, MMA is a combat sport that is very well regulated by strict rules. The fights are often much less traumatic for the body than boxing for example. While a boxing fight takes place in 12 rounds with blows exclusively to the head and sometimes to the body, MMA takes place in 3 rounds of 5 minutes with blows authorized on the whole body as well as ground holds. Each MMA fighter generally comes from a particular combat sport, judo, boxing, jiu jitsu etc.

Enzo's background is in Muy Thai, which he started at a young age with his father, Philippe, a former boxer and Enzo's full-time mentor. Enzo made his first kick boxing fight at the age of 8 in Thailand and then won many victories including the title of vice-champion of the world in his category in Muy Thai at the age of 13.

Growing up, Enzo chose to switch from Muy Thai to MMA in addition to the monetary and career aspect that MMA offers, Enzo wishes to become a more complete fighter by learning ground and pound techniques.

Enzo comes from the traveller community settled in the village of Biganos near Arcachon. He stopped school in 9th grade to devote himself fully to combat sports with the support of his family. Since 2015, he has been going back and forth to Paris to train alongside the best of the MMA Factory (training room of Cyril Gane, UFC heavyweight champion). But for the past 6 months, the MMA factory has offered Enzo an apprenticeship contract so that he can get his BPJEPS trainer diploma and at only 15 years old, Enzo lives alone in a flat in the Paris suburbs. This choice was decided by his father so that his son could be supervised by the best and especially to keep him away from all temptations of foolishness with some of his cousins, friends, whose frequentation could hinder and penalize Enzo's progression, sports development and positive evolution. One of Enzo's strengths comes from his gypsy origins. Indeed, the "culture of the fight" is not a myth of the Gypsy culture.

As his father Philippe tells it:

"When I was a kid, my grandfather used to organize little fights. He had his grandchildren drink a glass or two of alcohol and we would fight on a mat on the floor. From the age of 8. We are a very close-knit community and quite closed because of the outside discrimination we face. There are good and bad people like in every community and country. People often associate bad people with their origins.

With a certain Tyson Fury, a Gypsy from England, as his idol, Enzo dreams of a career in MMA. He trains several hours, 3 to 4 times a week. Specialized in striking (punching and kicking), Enzo's training includes foot/fist and ground fighting. He also does physical and mental preparation to fight in the best conditions.

To earn some money Enzo gives coaching. He is currently in the process of obtaining his BPJEPS trainer's diploma thanks to his sporting achievements.

This early life as a fighter has given Enzo a strong sense of determination and respect that combat sports imply, making him one of the greatest hopes of French MMA