Picture: Light-Heavyweight Imad Al Howayeck celebrates victory at the 2015 IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA in Las Vegas Federation: Lebanese MMA Committee Number of competitors: 3 Competing for the third time at a major IMMAF tournament, Team Lebanon make the trip over to Las Vegas, Nevada having already won two Bronze medals before, as they look to use their returning confidence to bolster their accolades. The Western Asian country may be relatively small (a population of around four million) compared to other nations but the efforts being put in-place by Lebanon is a true benefit to grassroots development in the country. In December, 2015 it was announced that The Arts, Sciences and Technology University in Lebanon (AUL) planned to introduce mixed martial arts as a regular academic course for students. This was put in place by MMA Lebanon’s Wissam Abi Nader, head coach of Tristar Gym Lebanon. Also serving as an IMMAF board member, Abi Nader has been recognised greatly for his hard work in aid of developing grassroots in his home country. Team Lebanon are boosted by the inclusion of Imad Alhowayeck, who is not only their most experienced amateur, but one of IMMAF’s most consistent athletes, having competed at all major IMMAF tournaments – World and European – since 2014. The 2015 World Championship Bronze medallist earned himself the nickname “The Caveman” through his aggressive and effective style of fighting. In 2015, he bested both Germany’s Daniel Keith Müller and Australia’s Dante Jackson en route to the tournament semi-finals. Putting up a valiant effort, Alhowayeck found no shame in losing to number one ranked Brendan Allen, who would go on to eventually win the Gold medal for Team USA. Attend the 2016 IMMAF World Championships at UFC International Fight Week™ in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA): July 5 – 7, Las Vegas Convention Center FREE ENTRY July 8 & 10, UFC Fan Expo® BUY TICKETS: ufc.com/event-ticket-info FOLLOW the results live at mynextmatch.com or on Twitter at @IMMAFed]]>
