The 2025 IMMAF European Championships reached its apex as the Senior Finals delivered a night of seismic shifts, technical brilliance, and statement victories. Established names cemented their dominance, while new champions emerged, etching their names into the sport’s history.
Ukraine’s Anna Hyria, reigning Atomweight World and European Champion, moved up to Strawweight, where she overpowered Spain’s Dea Celma. Controlling the striking exchanges, Hyria capitalised on a lull in Celma’s defence, securing a takedown and forcing the tap with a rear naked choke, another title added to her collection.
Finland’s Sani Brannfors closed out her amateur career with a dominant Bantamweight performance against France’s Lina Hammouche. Brannfors cut through Hammouche’s reach advantage with precision hooks and a varied striking arsenal. The Finnish phenom’s performance earned her unanimous decision victory, as well as her fifth IMMAF gold before she steps into the professional ranks.
In a shocking Featherweight final, Ukraine’s Milan Nikolenko dethroned Austria’s Elias Erber in just 21 seconds. Erber opened aggressively, but Nikolenko snatched a guillotine choke in transition, securing one of the quickest finishes of the tournament.
Super Lightweight gold was contested in a high-intensity war between Roman Chernysh and Serbia’s Aladin Ibrovic. Two early takedowns saw Ibrovic establish control, but Chernysh responded with a surge of spinning kicks and a well-timed butterfly sweep. The bout reached a dramatic conclusion in the final second of round three, Ibrovic flattening out Chernysh before sinking in a rear naked choke, sealing one of the night’s most unforgettable victories.
France’s Kalim Mastouri outlasted Serbia’s Ivan Panic in a Middleweight battle of attrition. Attacking with relentless pressure, Mastouri chased submissions from the opening bell, adjusting his grip as Panic found narrow escapes. By the second round, Mastouri’s top control proved suffocating, and with seconds to spare, he secured a sparsely seen Achilles lock to claim gold.
In the Light Heavyweight final, Switzerland’s Vincent Yerly disrupted Ukraine’s Bohdan Cherepania with a masterful display of control. Shutting down Cherepania’s striking, Yerly dragged the fight into his realm, quickly transitioning to a North-South choke, forcing the tap and crowning himself champion.
As the European Championships conclude, attention now shifts to the global stage. Will these new champions prove themselves among the world’s best? The answer awaits at the IMMAF World Championships. Before that, all eyes turn to the rising talent set to take the spotlight at the IMMAF African Championships this May.
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