Road FC 53 will take place on May 18 this year in Jeju Island.

The Lightweight Title Fight between Champion Kwon A-sol and Million Dollar Tournament winner Mansour Barnaoui will be the main event. There will be my korean and non-korean fighters competing in this contest.

The island will be testing the waters to see whether Mixed Martial Arts could be a new resource for tourism as this is the first professional Mixed Martial Arts event held in the island.

Mike Balfour reports.

[slug] ROAD FC 53 in Jeju
[slug] May 18, Halla Gymnasium

ROAD FC 53, the nation's biggest mixed martial arts competition, will take place on 18 May, 2019 at (한라) Halla Gymnasium.

[slug] ROAD FC to be held in Jeju for the first time

Hosted by the ROAD FC, the competition will take place on the island for the first time.

[slug] Main event: Kwon A-Sol VS Mansour Barnaoui

The full lineup has been announced for ROAD FC 53.

The Lightweight Title Fight between Champion Kwon A-Sol and Million Dollar Tournament winner Mansour Barnaoui will be the main event.

The prize money for the competition is the biggest ever, and the fight of the unpredictable athlete (권아솔) Kwon A-sol for the lightweight champion belt is getting attention.

Interview
Gang Yeong-shik / Head of Jeju ROAD FC
We brought the event to Jeju as athletes and MMA fans from all over the world can enter the island Visa-free to gather for the match.
[인터뷰 강영식 / 로드fc 제주회장 ]
"제주가 국제자유도시이기 때문에 제주에서 경기를 치루면 무비자 입국도 가능하고 전 세계 격투기 마니아들을 제주로 불러 모을 수 있는 기회가 될 것 같아 제주에 유치를 하게됐습니다. "

[slug] Internationally famous fighters including Aorigele to compete

As famous Chinese fighters will also compete in Jeju, Chinese fans are expected to visit the island.

[slug] Aorigele VS Jerome Le Banner to be highlighted

Aorigele, famous in China, will take on legend Jerome Le Banner, one of the most recognizable figures in the world of kickboxing.

This will be a match between the strength of youth and the power of experience.

[slug] Local athletes to make debut

Four athletes born and raised in Jeju including (신지승) Shin Ji-seung will make their debut at the professional competition.

Interview
Gang Yeong-shik / Head, Jeju Office, ROAD FC
There are no professional fighters from Jeju. Four local athletes will fight in 5 matches.
[인터뷰 강영식 / 로드fc 제주회장 ]
"프로 선수가 전무했습니다. 제주에 있는 격투기 도장에 있는 선수를 발굴해서 이번 대회에 5게임 정도가 제주 선수들이 프로로 데뷔하는 경기로 돼 있습니다."

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

As the MMA has gained popularity in recent years, the competition is receiving attention from Korean and Chinese fans.

Tourism insiders hope the sports will attract international visitors to the island.

Mike Balfour, KCTV