By Cauley Quilty
With the 2025 IMMAF European Championships fast approaching, athletes across the continent are readying themselves for the battles to come. Meanwhile, three IMMAF alumni were in action as the UFC ventured to Saudi Arabia for only the second time in promotional history.
Bogdan Grad (Austria), Shamil Gaziev (Bahrain) & Muhammad Naimov (Tajikistan) were all in action, showcasing the true potential of the IMMAF pathway.
A bronze medalist during the 2018 European Championships, Bogdan Grad proved he belongs amongst the world’s elite after securing a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series late last year. Making his debut in Saudi Arabia, Grad solidified his status by earning a ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus after defeating Lucas Alexander via TKO in the second round.
#11 ranked UFC heavyweight Shamil Gaziev earned his third win under the UFC banner when he finished Thomas Petersen in the very first round. Gaziev had a dominant run in 2019 with IMMAF, winning gold medals in the European, Africa & Asian Championships alongside a bronze medal in the World Championships.
Finally, Muhammad Naimov was also in action, dominating his opponent Kaan Ofli to earn his fourth UFC victory. A quarter-finalist at the 2016 World Championships, Naimov has since gone from strength to strength in his professional career, accumulating a record of 12-3.
With statement wins and stand-out performances, the IMMAF pathway is once again highlighted as a key route for athletes looking to excel and push themselves closer to the global arena.
Don’t miss out as the next generation of amateur MMA talent return, when IMMAF brings the 2025 European Championships to Belgrade, Serbia from February 14th – 23rd, LIVE on IMMAF.TV.
