By Frank Bonada
Two former IMMAF standouts will square off at UFC Vegas 100 as England’s Melissa Mullins takes on Poland’s Klaudia Syguła.
The bout hold particular historic significance, marking the first time that two IMMAF alumni will face each other in the UFC octagon.
2019 IMMAF European silver medalist Melissa Mullins competed in five IMMAF events over the course of her amateur career, narrowly missing out on gold when a split decision favored Jasmine Favero (Italy) in the final. Since transitioning to professional MMA in 2021, Mullins has gone from strength to strength, securing five consecutive victories in promotions such as Ares FC and Golden Ticket Promotions. Off the back of this impressive regional record, she got the call up to the UFC in 2023.
Mullins made a strong debut in the UFC, defeating Irina Alekseeva by unanimous decision. However, her second fight presented her first professional setback as she came up short against French kickboxer, Nora Cornolle, dropping her UFC record to 1-1.
Mullins was initially booked to fight Montserrat Rendon at UFC Vegas 100. But after Rendon suffered an injury during training, Mullins was left without an opponent. Enter Klaudia Syguła of Poland, who stepped up as a short-notice replacement. A 2019 IMMAF World Championships competitor, Syguła earned her UFC opportunity following an impressive winning streak on the European regional circuit.
Syguła has competed for various promotions, including FEN, MMA GP, and Fame MMA, amassing a professional record of 6-1, identical to that of Mullins’. Beyond standard MMA bouts, she has also tested herself in bare-knuckle MMA and custom rules matches.
The matchup between these two IMMAF alumni is significant, highlighting the developmental impact IMMAF has on athletes transitioning to the professional stage. Both fighters, having honed their skills on the amateur and regional circuits, now aim to make their mark in the UFC.
With identical records and shared IMMAF roots, this fight promises to be a competitive clash. While only one fighter will emerge victorious, both Mullins and Syguła seem poised for bright futures in the UFC.
