From Paris with love: Alex Lohoré eyeing first-ever hometown fight
This article was originally published for a final year university project and styled for print use. All information and quotes were believed to be accurate at the time of initial publication.
Alex Lohoré gave up everything as a teenager to move countries and pursue a life as a fighter. Now, he’s preparing for his biggest opportunity yet at the age of 30.
It was fifteen years ago that Lohoré left his hometown of Bobigny, a concrete jungle in the Parisian suburbs, in favour of a move to England. Having mixed with a troublesome crowd back in France, his mother made the heart-wrenching decision to hand her son a fresh start across the Channel.
Accompanied only by his cousin, Lohoré settled in Croydon — the London borough that also became the adopted home of UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa — with little money and scarce opportunities. “My journey from France to England was a difficult one, but one I would never change,” Lohoré tells Octagon Magazine.
“It was hard learning English and making new friends, and I didn’t really have a childhood because I had to grow up quickly to support myself. My childhood in France was great, though. It was rough but fun.”
After building a life in the capital, Lohoré had to risk everything once again to pursue MMA as a full-time career. He’d graduated from college, worked in a sports shop and progressed to a stable computing job, but made the bold decision to go all-in on fighting. It seemed to pay off.
“After eight amateur fights, I left my £25,000 a year job to turn professional,” he says. His English isn’t fluent, but he’s clear about the success he’s earned. “I was only 22.”
Now, during times of uncertainty, Lohoré is training out of his home gym, having signed his most illustrious contract to date. The knockout specialist will compete in the upcoming Professional Fighters League against a host of former UFC and Bellator athletes. The promotion is still in its juvenescence but has shaken up the MMA world with a new set-up adopting a regular season and a “win-or-go-home” post-season.
Fighters compete across the United States for a seven-figure championship prize, which concludes with a prestigious event in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. “The format is perfect for me,” Lohoré says.
“I can’t wait to have two fights in one night. I don’t feel like the PFL is a step-up when it comes to fights, as I believe it’s where I belong. People are about to really know who Da Killa Kid is. But it’s definitely a step up in organisation, and it helps with the prize money at the end.”
Lohoré still has one eye on the UFC, and it wouldn’t be farfetched to consider a future move. Fighters have made their promotional debuts at a considerably older age, and it’s an encouraging time for all French contenders. Rumours of a UFC France fight card for 2020 had sparked with the legalisation of the sport in the New Year, and given the delay to all combat sports, any prospective event would now likely take place after the completion of the PFL season.
As with all international cards, hometown fighters would be expected to dominate the line-up. The UFC has just four French athletes on their roster, and none compete at Lohoré’s preferred weight classes. Additional signings would be fundamental for a successful event, and few have proven themselves more.
“It’s been my goal from the start,” Lohoré says of competing in the UFC. “I lost a few fights at the wrong time, but I think I still have a chance. For now, I will just keep fighting and focus on the PFL.”
While the new date for Lohoré’s breakthrough fight in the United States remains unknown, he’s begun preparations for potential opponents. Notably, former Bellator champion and UFC regular Rory MacDonald. “I’d love to face him in the final, but fighting him anytime would be great,” he admits. “He’s an amazing fighter with a strong team, and I’d enjoy sharing the cage with him.”
Until he can commence his coast-to-coast tour from New York to Nevada, Lohoré will spend most of his time in the back garden of his Croydon home. “Luckily, I have my gym, so I can still train every day,” he says. “It’s not the same, but I still try to push myself. I had to make a few changes as my training is only a coach and me now. But I feel great; I’m moving forward and expect some great fights ahead.”
In a taste of what’s to come post-fighting for Lohoré, he’s started to stream daily workouts on Instagram Live in the hope of inspiring others. A t-shirt dripping in sweat is a common theme for Lohoré’s social media platforms, and he offers bilingual advice for those who join in.
“I always think about my after-fight life and definitely want to stay involved in the sport,” he ponders. “I’d like to train and guide new fighters to become champions, making sure they do what they love and look after their family. I’d love to have my own gym with full MMA facilities — that’s the dream.”
When competing stateside, Lohoré will carry his tri-national flag representing the Ivory Coast, France and England. Born to Ivorian parents, the welterweight is always keen to exhibit his past. He also recognises his childhood and what could have been if he remained in the hostile surroundings of Paris by donning a balaclava during his entrance.
“I choose to wear the balaclava in the cage instead of out of it,” Lohoré says. “It reminds me of how I could have easily been involved in gangs that wear balaclavas. I thank god for steering me in the right direction and using my balaclava in MMA instead.”
