We Love MMA: A Stage for Talent

We Love MMA 90 takes place in Stuttgart on October 17. The number primarily shows how long the event series has remained part of German MMA. While the UFC and OKTAGON command most of the public attention, We Love MMA occupies a quieter but important level: regional fighters gain professional experience, build their records and perform in front of a sizeable arena crowd, sometimes for the first time.

The first show took place at Berlin’s Universal Hall in December 2010. The series began touring Germany in 2014. Its calendar now regularly includes arenas in Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Hanover, Düsseldorf and Dresden. The CS.C profile of We Love MMA covers its history, rules and event model in more detail.

Not a formal development league

We Love MMA is not a formal feeder league and does not develop fighters inside its own training system. That work belongs to the gyms. What the series supplies is the next requirement: recurring professional bouts, an established ruleset, medical cover and a stage on which performances become visible. Its official FAQ says a card generally contains ten to twelve bouts, with new matchups usually announced four to six weeks before the event.

That intermediate step matters at the beginning of a career. Competing in a major arena creates a different type of pressure from fighting in a small venue. The walkout, crowd, schedule and concentration required across a full event are all part of professional experience, even if one appearance does not automatically lead to an international contract.

From We Love MMA to larger stages

Dustin Stoltzfus is the clearest example. In 2017, he became the series’ first middleweight champion. He later earned a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series, and the UFC still lists his We Love MMA title in his official profile. We Love MMA did not turn Stoltzfus into a UFC fighter; his gym, development and wins did that. The series did, however, give that process a visible championship and meaningful professional experience.

Max Holzer also started his professional record at We Love MMA. He won his debut at event 53 in Hanover in February 2020. Holzer is now 12-0 and ranked second in OKTAGON’s featherweight division. His path shows how quickly a first locally rooted professional bout can become the beginning of a career on one of Europe’s largest MMA stages.

Consistency over maximum spectacle

Matchmaker Sven Neumann described We Love MMA to ntv as a long-time underdog, while emphasizing its consistency and sporting focus. That is the series’ clearest identity. Recurring dates build an audience in several regions, while local gyms can place fighters in front of home support. Recognition helps, but it is not the only route onto a card.

This role becomes more important as the German scene grows. Major organizations can sign only a portion of the available fighters. Without reliable domestic events, prospects lack suitable opponents, competitive rounds and the opportunity to turn raw talent into tested professional ability.

The next opportunities are scheduled

After Stuttgart, the 2026 calendar continues in Hamburg and Berlin. Dates in Munich, Hanover, Düsseldorf, Erfurt and Dresden are already listed for 2027. Not every fighter on those cards will reach the UFC, OKTAGON or another international promotion. The essential point is that the next fight exists. We Love MMA does not replace the biggest stages; it helps produce fighters who may eventually be ready to enter them.