By Hasan Khan
Day four of the 2025 European Championships delivered a thrilling start to the Junior and Senior divisions, setting the stage for high-stakes clashes with multiple TKOs, breakthrough victories from fresh-faced competitors, and the dethroning of reigning champions.
Team Slovakia seized the spotlight, with three first-time IMMAF contenders making a dominant entrance onto the international stage. Featherweight Jaroslav Lupták showcased his prowess, dismantling Norway’s Leon Haug with a relentless barrage of body shots and precise kicks. Luptak’s calculated pressure continually backed his opponent against the cage, with judges awarding him a unanimous decision victory.
Adding to Slovakia’s stellar showing, Samuel Janicek executed a textbook rear-naked choke to force his opponent into submission, while flyweight competitor Lukas Zumrik stunned the competition with a statement victory over IMMAF veteran Patrik Kutil.
Czech Republic’s Jan Habijanic responded in emphatic fashion, bringing the country its first TKO of the tournament in the bantamweight division. His explosive striking combined with seamless transitions overwhelmed his opponent, ensuring the Czech team remained a formidable force in the competition.
France’s Theo Murris demonstrated marked improvement since his previous showcase at the IMMAF World Championships in Tashkent. His suffocating ground control left his opponent with little room to counter, earning him a decisive victory and reinforcing France’s presence in the tournament.
Irish fighters came out swinging, embodying the nation’s signature grit and heart. Lightweight standout Jack Browne and bantamweight contender Henry Leka executed well-rounded performances, blending sharp boxing combinations with fluid grappling to dominate their respective matchups and advance to the next stage.
Meanwhile, flyweight Kevin Walsh returned fiercely after his previous setback at the IMMAF World Championships in Tashkent, where a medical ruling forced him out of the competition. Determined to reclaim his standing, Walsh dazzled with pinpoint head kicks, effortlessly transitioning into grappling exchanges before unleashing a barrage of strikes on the ground, securing a resounding victory and cementing his comeback.
With an exhilarating opening round setting the tone for the Junior and Senior divisions at the 2025 European Championships, the anticipation now builds for the highly awaited appearance of Elias Elber, who will make his final IMMAF competition appearance. As the tournament unfolds, will new challengers continue to rise or will seasoned veterans reclaim their dominance in the cage?
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