International MMA Academy “Lion Heart” Opens in Yerevan

Today, on November 22, Yerevan hosted the official grand opening of the “Lion Heart” mixed martial arts academy — an ambitious international project aimed at developing MMA and martial arts in Armenia and preparing world-class athletes for the global stage.

On November 24, the academy will open its doors to the public and begin full-scale operations.

A New Social & Sports Center

“Lion Heart” is more than just a gym. According to the founders, the academy is designed as a social-sports center where athletes of all ages — from children to seasoned professionals — can grow physically, mentally, and morally.

The project brings together coaches and fighters from different countries, with the goal of forming a new generation of champions who will represent Armenia around the world.

Facilities and Disciplines

The academy offers state-of-the-art facilities that meet top international standards:
• professional equipment,
• zones for different martial arts and physical conditioning,
• comfortable locker rooms,
• full infrastructure for an intensive training schedule.

Available disciplines include:

• MMA

• Boxing

• Freestyle wrestling & grappling

• Muay Thai & karate

• Strength and conditioning

Coaching Staff

The academy has assembled one of the strongest coaching teams in the region:

• Nver Torosyan — Muay Thai

• Vardan Aroyan — Freestyle wrestling

• Erik Khamzoyan — Grappling

• Mkhitar Barseghyan — MMA & freestyle (renowned MMA fighter, ACA star)

• Tigran Petrosyan — MMA & conditioning

• Armen Petrosyan — Karate

• Andranik Grigoryan — Boxing

• David Tumasian — Grappling

Head Coach: Armen Gulyan (MMA)

Scholarships in Memory of Gerasim Manukyan

Head coach Armen Gulyan announced that the academy will grant scholarships to the most promising fighters. These scholarships will be named after Gerasim Manukyan, an 18-year-old athlete of the club who died during the 2020 Artsakh war.

The program is designed for young talents who demonstrate excellence in training and competition, giving them the opportunity to focus on their professional careers.

Training at the academy will be completely free, but admission will be based on selection, discipline, and athletic motivation. The academy will offer 14 training directions in total.

Tournaments and Training Camps

The academy plans to organize:

• amateur competitions to identify top prospects,
• professional fight events,
• regular training camps with international fighters.

Right after the opening, major training camps involving professionals are already scheduled — a first step toward establishing Armenia as a new international hub for MMA.

“Armenia Will Become a New Center for Martial Arts”

According to Armen Gulyan, the project’s mission is to build infrastructure that will allow Armenian fighters to stay and train at home without needing to leave the country.

“We are creating a gym that matches the best American and Russian facilities. Fighters from across the world are already showing interest in joining us.”

Gulyan believes the academy will significantly reshape Armenia’s martial arts ecosystem in the coming years.

Developing the Industry at Home

The academy will host Armenia’s leading fighters. Many Armenian coaches and athletes currently working in Moscow plan to return to Yerevan to contribute to the development of the local sports industry and help form a new regional MMA hub.

Address: Yerevan, Shengavit, Manandyan 33/20
Website: lionheart.am
Telegram: t.me/LIONHEARTARM

“Lion Heart” is set to become one of the most influential martial arts projects in Armenia — already attracting attention from fighters worldwide.