By James Eakin
One of the most exciting divisions for the upcoming IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships is the Men’s Senior Lightweight division. All 32 spots are full, meaning a new world champion is guaranteed. The division boasts a plethora of talent that includes familiar faces mixed in with fresh talent. 2019 world champion Murad Umachiev opted to pursue a professional career in 2021, leaving the door open to a new rising star to take home gold for their country.
One athlete to keep a close eye on at the event is Salamat Isbulaev, who represents the RMMAU. Isbulaev boasts plenty of experience and has multiple accolades. Notably, winning gold medals at the 2019 IMMAF Senior European Open and the 2021 RMMAU Championships. He is a favourite for the gold medal this year. He has an outstanding amateur record of 21-2-0 and is riding an 8-fight win streak that includes three finishes, making him one to keep a close eye on.
Without a doubt, one of the most enthralling potential matches that could arise is a bout between the aforementioned, Isbulaev and Ukraine’s Ivan Kurelaru. Kurelaru defeated Spain’s Antoni Josep Marti Segarra by unanimous decision to win the IMMAF Senior World Cup in 2021. With a record of 6-3-0, Kurelaru will be hoping to extend his current impressive win streak.
An athlete who will be seeking redemption is Antoni Josep Marti Segarra. Representing Edu Riego Team and the Federación Española de Lucha Olímpica y Disciplinas Asociadas, Segarra has unfortunately failed in his bids for gold in IMMAF competition so far. Losses to both Isbulaev and Kurelaru will have lit a fire underneath the Spanish athlete heading into the World Championships. Marti Segerra is currently ranked 4th in the IMMAF Senior Lightweight rankings and boasts an exceptional amateur record of 23-4-0. He will be hoping to bounce back from his loss to Kurelaru. Can he cause an upset? We will have to wait and see.
Another fighter to keep an eye on is Irishman Solomon Simon. The slick striker fighting out of Team Ryano Waterford was a standout performer at the World Cup. His record currently stands at 7-4-0 and he could face a rematch with Antoni Josep Marti Segarra should the two meet in competition. Simon dropped a unanimous decision to the Spaniard at the 2021 IMMAF World Cup and will be out for revenge and looking to extend his win streak to two.
Fighting out of Australia, representing IMMAFA is Jordan Thomas, a potential dark horse of the division. The 2020 Oceania Gold medallist is riding a 3-fight win streak which includes two submission finishes.
The full list of athletes entering the Men’s Lightweight Division are as follows:
MEN’S M: LIGHTWEIGHT 70.3 KG (155 LBS)
Abdalrhman Alhyasat – Jordan
Allistar Kunene – South Africa
Angelos Fotiadis – Greece
Antoni Josep Marti Segarra – Spain
Arnaud Prigent – France
Daniel Schordje – Austria
Dehilis Anouar – Germany
Harda Karim – Norway
Harry Shaw – England
Huthaifa Ahmed – United Arab Emirates
Ivan Kurelaru – Ukraine
Jordan Thomas – Australia
Koshish Shrestha – Nepal
Kurban Idrisov – Bahrain
Layth Saad Subhi – Iraq
Luca Borando – Italy
Luis Gonzalez – Mexico
Maciej Rebacz – Poland
Marcel Simo – Slovakia
Marko Sarasjarvi – Finland
Mayur Chandra Prasad – India
Neimat Assadov – Kazakhstan
Oliver Schmid – New Zealand
Salamat Isbulaev – Russia
Solomon Simon – Ireland
Tamahau Mc comb – French Polynesia
Teimur Ahmetoglu – Turkey
Tobias Soderberg – Sweden
Toni Bou Rached – Lebanon
Vojtech Khol – Czech Republic
Ze Machado – Portugal
The rescheduled 2021 IMMAF World Championships will be streamed live from Abu Dhabi at immaf.tv from the 24th to the 29th of January 2022.
