By Frank Bonada
Day 5 of the 2024 IMMAF Pan American Championships saw the next generation of South and North American amateur MMA athletes go head to head for a spot in tomorrow’s finals.
Team USA got off to a strong start, with Irann Orozco leading the charge in the Women’s Junior Atomweight division. She secured a slick armbar submission to force an early tap. Shortly after, Gavin Mitchell followed suit, earning an impressive armbar victory in the Junior Bantamweight division.
One of Team USA’s brightest prospects, Abigail Alvarez, made her highly anticipated return to IMMAF competition in the Women’s Senior Strawweight division. The 2022 IMMAF Junior World Champion quickly asserted her dominance, showcasing her renowned grappling skills. Alvarez secured a flawless triangle armbar submission to defeat Geovania Vieira (Brazil).
Alvarez may have secured her spot in the final, but the route to gold will be no easy path to walk. The American standout will face off against Valeria Gomez Frausto (Mexico), who was also in excellent form in the Semi-Finals.
Host nation Mexico continued to impress across multiple weight classes. Israel Rodriguez Salcido claimed his second submission finish of the tournament, wrapping up a rear naked choke on fellow countryman Alexander Ibarra Vaquez.
Having captured Junior Welterweight gold at the 2023 IMMAF Pan American Championships, Diego Torres Rangel is well on track to add a Senior continental IMMAF title to his list of accolades. Rangel faced Rodrigo Jose Lopez Calderon, a Salvadoran submission specialist who had already bested two opponents in the tournament. However, Rangel nullified Calderon’s submission threat, landing heavy strikes to secure a TKO victory.
Up at the Senior Super Heavyweight Division, a pair of thunderous knockout victories from John Campayne (Guyana) and Tyrece Thompson (Jamaica) ensued their respective spots in what promises to be an exhilarating final.
Finally, Brazil’s Luis Filipe Gusmão picked up one of the highlight finishes of the day. Facing off against Team USA’s Gabriel Muscat, Gusmão was able to sink in a deep ankle lock, forcing the tap from his opponent. The Brazilian now advances to the Men’s Senior Welterweight final, where he will face Diego Torres Rangel.
Catch all the action live on IMMAF.tv.
