Tashkent : Bahrain’s national mixed martial arts team ranked first among Arab nations and fifth globally, securing two world titles, a silver, and a bronze in the open category at the 10th IMMAF World Championship for youth and seniors in Uzbekistan, organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in collaboration with Team Bahrain.
The team achieved two world titles with Ghadzi Ghadzhiev winning gold in the 88.4 kg category and Gimbat Magomedov securing gold in the 79.4 kg category. Additionally, Magomed Sheikhov claimed a silver in the 56.7 kg category, while Sultan Gapizov earned a bronze in the 97+ kg category.
In the finals, Ghadzi Ghadzhiev triumphed over Kazakhstan’s Abylai Shakerbekov in the 88.4 kg division, winning by unanimous decision after controlling the match. Meanwhile, Gimbat Magomedov defeated Ukraine’s Bohdan Voloshyn in the 79.4 kg final, showcasing a strong performance that earned him a unanimous decision and the world title.
Magomed Sheikhov, competing with a significant knee injury from his semi-final bout against Uzbekistan’s Firdavs Khaitmatov, lost in the 56.7 kg final to Tajikistan’s Yoqubjon Safarov despite his efforts to complete the match.
Sultan Gapizov, a former champion in the 97+ kg category, secured bronze after a hand injury prevented him from competing in the semi-finals. His achievements include winning the 2023 RDX Performance Award and claiming medals at the IMMAF World Championships and Asia Championship.
The tournament’s 10th edition in Uzbekistan saw Bahrain’s national anthem played twice, celebrating the victories of Gimbat Magomedov and Ghadzi Ghadzhiev.
In a notable move, IMMAF introduced championship belts for first-place finishers in each weight category, marking an experience akin to professional fighters who receive belts upon winning world titles across different MMA weight divisions.
