San Nico Open 2026
San Nicolás is getting ready to host fighters from all over Mexico. Mayor Daniel Carrillo Martínez just opened registration for the San Nico Open Serie I 2026, a national MMA tournament that puts local youth development in the spotlight. For the city, this event is about much more than winning belts—it is proof of how martial arts can teach discipline and focus to kids and young adults.
From Neighborhood Program to National Tournament
The San Nico Open didn’t appear out of nowhere. It grew directly out of San Nico Power, a community project the mayor launched to help rebuild the city’s social fabric.
City officials saw early on that MMA was one of the best ways to reach kids growing up in tough neighborhoods.Giving young people a constructive outlet inside the gym helped keep them on track outside of it, and that grassroots energy has now turned into a nationwide event.
UFC Trailblazer Erik “Goyito” Pérez Steps In
Having Erik “Goyito” Pérez at the helm gives the tournament instant credibility. As the first Mexican-born and locally trained fighter to ever step into the UFC Octagon, Pérez knows exactly what it takes to reach the top. He currently leads both the San Nico Power program and this upcoming tournament.
Pérez promised that the event will run like a major promotion, complete with certified judges and experienced ringside staff. More importantly for ambitious competitors, the director of the UFC Performance Institute (UFCPI) will be in the building scouting for fresh talent. That means local athletes won’t just be fighting for hardware; they’ll be competing in front of someone who can actually change their careers.
Who Can Compete at the San Nico Open
Fighters as young as four and adults over 21 are welcome to step into the cage. The tournament is officially sanctioned by the Federación de Artes Marciales Mixtas Equidad y Juego Limpio A.C. (FAMM), alongside CONADE and the IMMAF.
Matchmakers have split the roster into nine age groups:
- Mini 1 and Mini 2
- Youth (Juvenil) D, C, B, and A
- Junior
- Adults
Brackets are also divided by experience, separating first-year novices from seasoned veterans who have been training for more than four years. Everything will take place inside an official FAMM cage with certified referees, on-site paramedics, an ambulance on standby, and official event gear up for grabs.
How to Lock In Your Spot Before November 11
Fights take place on Saturday, November 14, at the Unidad Deportiva Mario J. Montemayor. If you want to compete,you need to sign up on Smoothcomp before registration closes on November 11. Entry costs $600 pesos.
Athletes will weigh in on the morning of the tournament, and the top three finishers in each bracket will walk away with first, second, and third-place medals.
