Paul Abraham
Before joining the UFC, Axel Sola built an outstanding amateur résumé. For several years, the Frenchman represented Team France at IMMAF events across the world. During that time, he established himself as one of the best amateur fighters in the world and became one of the faces of French amateur MMA.
In 2017, Sola competed in his first IMMAF World Championships. In his first appearance on the international stage, he put together an impressive run and claimed the silver medal. A year later, he confirmed his potential by winning the IMMAF European Championship. Later, he reached another World Championship final, where he once again claimed the silver medal.
The 2019 season further cemented his reputation. Moving up to the middleweight division, Sola earned a bronze medal at the European Championships. He also captured gold at the Oceania Championships and the Pan-American Championships. By the end of his amateur career, his résumé included one European title, two World Championship silver medals and several continental medals.
Sola’s success came at a time when MMA was banned in France. With very few opportunities to compete at home, French athletes had to travel abroad to face the world’s best amateurs. His results demonstrated that French MMA was capable of producing world-class talent long before the sport was officially legalized in 2020. Ranked No.1 pound-for-pound by the IMMAF, Sola finished his amateur career as one of the federation’s most accomplished athletes.
After turning professional, Sola continued his rise through the European scene. He became ARES Fighting Championship lightweight champion before earning a contract with the UFC in 2025. The Frenchman won his promotional debut before suffering the first defeat of his professional career against Mason Jones at UFC London. This weekend, Sola returns to action at UFC Abu Dhabi: Ankalaev vs. Guskov. He will face Ismael Bonfim in an important lightweight matchup.
Ismael Bonfim arrived in the UFC with a lot of expectations, but his rise was quickly slowed by Benoît Saint-Denis. He will face Axel Sola with a 2-3 record in the organisation and will need a strong performance. Sola, meanwhile, could move closer to the lightweight top 15 with a win. Both men are known for chasing the finish, so the fight should be explosive.
From his success with Team France to his first fights in the UFC, Sola has already built a unique career. His amateur background gave him the experience to compete at the highest level. A win over Bonfim would be another important step in his UFC journey.
