By Frank Bonada
IMMAF alumni continue to make waves on the global stage, as Tobiasz Le (Poland) added yet another highlight reel finish at KSW 99, and Tom Hölemann (Germany) burst onto the pro scene with a stunning debut performance.
At KSW 99: Martínek vs. Vojčák, Poland’s Tobiasz Le competed in his seventh professional MMA bout, taking on Czech standout Matěj Val. With Val holding an impressive 5-1 record, he entered their bantamweight clash as a relatively heavy favourite.
However, Le would completely flip the script. The IMMAF alum was able to get the fight to the mat, securing top position. From there, he landed heavy strikes that left the referee with no choice but to step in – just one second before the end of the first round. Le now moves to 5-2, with two big victories under the KSW banner.
2021 IMMAF World Championships bronze medalist Tom Hölemann made his professional debut at The Cage MMA 5. Fighting in front of an appreciative home crowd in Braunschweig, Germany, Hölemann had a debut to remember. Taking on Amir Reza Abbasi in a heavyweight bout, Hölemann landed a stunning head-kick KO that ignited the crowd. Now with his first professional win under his belt, and still only 27 years old, Hölemann looks to be one to watch on the European regional scene in the coming years.
Alongside Le and Hölemann, several other IMMAF alumni claimed wins over the past week.
At AFN 8, Liam Pitts (Sweden) secured a TKO victory over Brandon Najera. An undefeated amateur, Pitts was on track to achieve big things at the 2023 IMMAF World Championships before being forced to drop out due to missing weight. With his statement win over Najera, the Swedish star is now looking to take the pro scene by storm.
At ONE Friday Fights 83, Katsuaki Aoyagi (Japan) continued his run of form with another knockout victory, showcasing the aggression and dynamism that have become hallmarks of his fighting style.
Although Jan Berus’ (Slovenia) IMMAF career may not have gone as hoped, he is thriving on the pro scene. This was best exemplified by his impressive kneebar submission victory over Luka Lakić at VFN 10, which secured him the welterweight title.
Finally, Australia’s Loni Filimoehala was another IMMAF alum to get his professional career off to a winning start. Filimoehala secured a first-round rear-naked choke finish over Kyo Ram Kim at Beatdown Promotions 9.
IMMAF’s alumni continue to excel and make their mark in professional MMA, carrying forward the discipline, skills, and experience gained through their time on the amateur circuit. With their recent successes, these rising stars are continually demonstrating that the IMMAF system is a key foundation for the next generation of athletes aiming to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Tune in to IMMAF.tv to watch all the stars of tomorrow compete live at the 2024 IMMAF World Championships.
