Ares FC 39: Jbalia vs. Diatta is a mixed martial arts event promoted by Ares FC to take place on April 3, 2026 at the Arkéa Arena in Floirac, France.
Fight Card
Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Featherweight Ghassen Jbalia vs. Fabacary Diatta 145 lbs Interim Featherweight Championship
Welterweight Ibrahima Mané vs. Jason Ponet 170 lbs
Lightweight Noah Gugnon vs. Bruno Matos 155 lbs
Lightweight Jimmy Vienot vs. Mario Gagliardi 155 lbs
Welterweight Mohamed Soumah vs. Pierre Manzo 170 lbs
Preliminary Card
Featherweight Sakhi Qambari vs. Gabriel Pasqualotti 145 lbs
Women's Strawweight Jade Jorand vs. Adriana Fusini 115 lbs
Catchweight Phruethukorn Chaichongcharden vs. Baba Boundjou Nadjombe 161 lbs
Flyweight Romain Tango Ngouodjou vs. Rafael Saraiva 125 lbs
Background
Bordeaux Ignites: Interim Featherweight Gold at Ares FC 39!
The Arkéa Arena in Floirac is set to witness a historic milestone as Ares Fighting Championship makes its long-awaited debut in the Bordeaux region. On April 3, 2026, Ares FC 39: Jbalia vs. Diatta brings the promotion's signature high-production intensity to a new French frontier. With an interim world title on the line and a main card featuring some of the most decorated strikers and grapplers in Europe, this event serves as a definitive showcase of the French MMA revolution.
The Main Event: Jbalia vs. Diatta for the Interim Featherweight Crown
At the summit of the card, the Interim Ares FC Featherweight Championship is up for grabs in a clash of elite specialists. The undefeated Tunisian phenom Ghassen Jbalia looks to keep his perfect 6-0 record intact and claim his first major piece of silverware. Jbalia has been a revelation in the cage, combining a relentless grappling pace with an ever-evolving striking game that has seen him breeze through the division's rising stars.
In Fabacary Diatta, however, he faces a battle-hardened veteran who has long been considered one of the most dangerous 145-pounders in Europe. Diatta brings a sophisticated kickboxing base and a high-level defensive game that has frustrated many high-pressure wrestlers. This is a quintessential "clash of momentum": can Jbalia’s grappling dominance overcome the technical poise and championship experience of Diatta? In the deafening atmosphere of the Arkéa Arena, a new king of the featherweights will emerge.
Welterweight Warfare: Mané vs. Ponet
The intensity remains at a peak in the co-main attraction as Ibrahima Mané takes on the legendary veteran Jason Ponet. Mané, a physically imposing welterweight with a penchant for spectacular finishes, looks to solidify his position as a primary contender for the 170-pound title. He meets a man in Jason Ponet who has seen it all across nearly 50 professional fights. Ponet’s veteran savvy and durability make him a dangerous hurdle for any rising star. In a division where a single exchange can alter the course of a career, this matchup is a frontrunner for "Fight of the Night" honors.
Lightweight Striking: The Return of Jimmy Vienot
One of the most anticipated attractions of the evening features the return of Muay Thai world champion Jimmy Vienot as he continues his transition to MMA against the undefeated Mario Gagliardi. Vienot’s world-class striking has already made waves in the lightweight division, but in Gagliardi, he faces a well-rounded adversary looking to claim a massive scalp. Simultaneously, the 155-pound ranks see a fascinating encounter between Noah Gugnon and Bruno Matos, a fight that promises to be a high-velocity chess match of transitions and pressure.
A Crucible of International Talent
The preliminary slate is equally stacked, featuring a featherweight collision between the technical Sakhi Qambari and the explosive Gabriel Pasqualotti. The card also showcases the return of Jade Jorand, who tests her skills against Adriana Fusini in a high-stakes strawweight duel. From the unique 161-pound catchweight battle between Phruethukorn Chaichongcharden and Baba Boundjou Nadjombe to the opening flyweight scrambles, every athlete on this card understands the mission.
In Bordeaux, a dominant performance isn't just a win, it's a declaration of intent. Every exchange is a step toward the world stage, and every finish is a reminder of why Ares FC remains the premier proving ground for European MMA excellence.
