Havas MMA
HAVAS MMA (하바스 MMA) is one of South Korea’s emerging professional mixed martial arts teams, founded by head coach Jung Won Lee. The organization traces its origins to HAVAS GYM in Busan before being rebranded as HAVAS MMA in 2023 as part of its expansion into a dedicated professional MMA team.
The name HAVAS is derived from the words Hard, Various, and Soft, reflecting the gym’s core coaching philosophy of developing complete mixed martial artists capable of adapting to different styles and situations. Rather than emphasizing a single discipline, HAVAS MMA focuses on producing well-rounded competitors through a balanced approach to striking, grappling, wrestling, and physical preparation.
Today, HAVAS MMA operates two locations in South Korea, with its main professional training center located in Apgujeong, Seoul, and a second branch in Hwamyeong-dong, Busan. Professional athletes primarily train at the Seoul headquarters, while the Busan facility serves as a development and strength and conditioning center before fighters transition to the main team.
Training Programs
HAVAS MMA provides instruction in mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and strength and conditioning. Programs are designed for recreational members, amateur competitors, and professional fighters preparing for domestic and international competition. The coaching philosophy emphasizes technical development while combining hard training with adaptability and intelligent preparation.
Facilities & Location
The organization currently operates two facilities.
The Apgujeong, Seoul location serves as the headquarters and primary training base for the team’s professional athletes, while the Hwamyeong-dong, Busan branch focuses on athlete development and physical preparation before fighters transition to the professional training environment in Seoul.
Training sessions, fight camps, sparring footage, and behind-the-scenes content are regularly featured on Stung Gun TV, providing fans with a unique look into the daily training environment of HAVAS MMA’s athletes.
Importance to Korean MMA
Although HAVAS MMA officially adopted its current identity in 2023, the organization has quickly established itself as one of South Korea’s rising professional MMA teams. Under the leadership of Jung Won Lee, the gym continues to develop athletes competing in organizations including AFC, ROAD FC, Black Combat, and other domestic promotions.
The team’s modern coaching philosophy, growing roster of professional competitors, and active media presence have helped establish HAVAS MMA as one of the country’s most recognizable emerging MMA organizations.
Coaching Staff
HAVAS MMA is led by Head Coach Jung Won Lee, who founded the organization after operating HAVAS GYM in Busan. Lee has built the team’s coaching philosophy around the principles represented by the HAVAS name, Hard, Various, and Soft, with an emphasis on developing adaptable and technically complete mixed martial artists.
Working alongside additional coaches and training partners, Lee oversees athlete development across both the Seoul headquarters and Busan branch. The organization provides instruction in striking, wrestling, grappling, and physical conditioning while preparing athletes for competition throughout South Korea and internationally.
Team History
HAVAS MMA traces its roots to HAVAS GYM, originally established and operated in Busan by head coach Jung Won Lee. Following years of athlete development, the organization underwent a significant transition in 2023, rebranding as HAVAS MMA and expanding its focus toward professional mixed martial arts.
The rebrand also coincided with the establishment of the organization’s Seoul headquarters in Apgujeong, allowing the team to operate a dual-location system. While the Busan branch continues to develop athletes through technical training and strength and conditioning, professional competitors primarily prepare for competition at the Seoul facility.
In addition to athlete development, HAVAS MMA has increased its public profile through regular training content published on Stungun TV, hosted by UFC veteran Dong Hyun Kim. The organization is also supported by Korean sportswear company Born to Win, which serves as an official sponsor of the team.
Today, HAVAS MMA continues to expand its presence within Korean mixed martial arts while developing athletes competing across the country’s leading professional promotions.
