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The 2025 IMMAF European Championships have kicked off in impressive fashion in Belgrade, Serbia, with the spotlight on the Youth divisions. This year marked a significant milestone with the historic debut of the Youth D category (10-11 years), showcasing IMMAF’s ongoing commitment to grassroots MMA development.
Meanwhile, the Youth C (12-13 years) category continued to produce outstanding talent, reinforcing the strength of IMMAF’s youth pathways. The Youth B (14-15 years) athletes added to the excitement with their own remarkable performances, setting the stage for the days ahead.
The opening day lived up to expectations, with fast-paced, technical exchanges dominating the action. Armenia’s Mark Ghambaryan made an immediate impact across multiple weight divisions, displaying impeccable grappling skills. Ghambaryan exhibited superior control, flowing seamlessly from dominant top positions to secure submissions, showcasing a combination of methodical ground-and-pound and relentless submission attacks. His dominant performances earned him Gold in the finals, firmly establishing his credentials.
Armenia's momentum continued in the Youth B division, with World Champion Davit Sevlikyan adding European Gold to his collection in the Featherweight division. Sevlikyan's tactical approach against Ukraine’s Danylo Afonchenko, a fighter known for his solid grappling, demonstrated a masterclass in control. Sevlikyan’s use of foot sweeps, well-timed takedowns, and precise submission attempts, including a textbook triangle choke, kept Afonchenko from executing his guard game, ensuring Sevlikyan’s dominance from start to finish.
Competing on home soil, Serbia’s Amir Karisik made an immediate mark in the Youth B men’s Featherweight division. In his IMMAF debut, Karisik displayed exceptional jiu-jitsu, showcasing seamless transitions between guard passes, sweeps, and submission attempts. Karisik secured multiple submission finishes, including armbars and triangle chokes, outclassing his opponents and earning a spot in the semi-finals.
England also made an impressive start, with Magomed Bulguchev leading the charge in Youth C. Bulguchev’s wrestling acumen and technical proficiency earned him Gold, as he dominated his opponents with strong takedowns, aggressive clinch control, and quick submission victories.
England’s success continued with Bella Adams, who successfully defended her Youth B title. Following in the footsteps of her sister, Lilah Adams, who secured Gold earlier the previous day, Bella demonstrated resilience and technical mastery in all her bouts, mixing strikes with clinch work, and dominating her opponents once the fight hit the ground.
In the Bantamweight division, England’s Ibrahim Bulguchev advanced to the finals with a commanding performance. His wrestling control was on full display as he dictated the pace, landing clean strikes and nullifying his opponent’s attacks with effective movement. Once on the canvas, he transitioned quickly to secure an armbar, displaying his grappling composure and earning Bronze in the finale.
Ukraine’s presence was strongly felt both inside and outside the cage. The atmosphere was electric, as the nation’s supporters created an inspiring environment for their athletes. Ukrainian fighters Oleh Melnychuk (Youth D) and Daria Kolesnykova (Youth C) impressed with their well-rounded skill sets, excelling in striking, grappling, and cage control. Their efforts contributed to a staggering 15 gold medals on Day 1, demonstrating Ukraine’s preparation and resilience across divisions.
Ukraine’s dominance continued in the Youth B division, with Yaroslav Poliakov and Polina Kovyrnova further cementing the nation’s strength. Poliakov’s signature Kimura lock proved unstoppable again, as he secured another win with the submission, while Kovyrnova’s run of three successive armbar submissions displayed her elite grappling skills and control from top position. Their performances were a testament to Ukraine’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in youth MMA.
By Day 2, Ukraine added another five golds to their tally, bringing their total to an impressive 55 medals. This dominant performance left them at the top of the medal standings, with England and Ireland following closely behind with 32 and 14 medals respectively.
Looking ahead, the Youth A division promises to bring even more excitement, as the next generation of mixed martial arts talent takes centre stage. With high expectations for more incredible performances, today's bouts are poised to captivate audiences and continue the thrilling action of the European Championships.
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