By Hasan Khan
Day 5 of the 2025 IMMAF European Championships delivered explosive action, as the Junior quarter-finals intensified, while the Senior divisions witnessed a plethora of stunning finishes.
Poland’s flyweight dynamo Malgorzata Popowicz wasted no time in dismantling Germany’s multi-medalist Katharina Roesen. Demonstrating pinpoint accuracy and lightning footwork, Popowicz landed a rapid suplex before cycling through an arsenal of submission attempts, until Roesen had no choice but to submit. With this emphatic victory, Popowicz advances to the semi-finals, establishing her status as a rising force in the division.
Georgian featherweight Nikoloz Kurtanidze rallied against adversity, overwhelming Swiss opponent Julian Schuler. Pinning Schuler against the cage, he rained down a shower of strikes, forcing a TKO stoppage. Fellow Georgian Beka Shainidze followed suit, using dominant grappling to control Slovakia’s Samuel Janicek. Despite Janicek’s sharp counters, Shainidze secured a thunderous slam before landing a flurry of precision strikes to claim a unanimous decision win.
Belgium once again emerged as a powerhouse nation, with lightweight Rachman Tchekuyev setting the tone through a strategic blend of striking and grappling to earn a decisive submission victory. Middleweight Jonathan Tambwe also impressed, swiftly grounding his opponent and unleashing a relentless barrage for a rapid TKO.
Salaudin Bonkhoev further extended Belgium’s winning streak with a clinical display of control and power. Securing an early takedown, Bonkhoev locked down his opponent’s limbs before transitioning into an armbar, sealing another dominant victory and propelling Belgium deeper into the competition.
France’s flyweight Demba Ndao engaged in a tactical war against Italy’s Rami Ghrairi. After a gruelling exchange in the grappling realm, Ndao locked in a triangle choke from mount, forcing Ghrairi’s tap in an excellent show of superior technique.
Austria’s reigning European featherweight champion Elias Elber put on a calculated performance, using deceptive feints to control the pace before executing a flawless rear-naked choke, securing his spot in the Senior quarter-finals.
However, the night’s most electrifying moment came from Serbia’s Ognjen Micovic. With precision and confidence, Micovic closed the distance and delivered a devastating head kick, flooring his opponent in just ten seconds. A former bronze and silver medalist, Micovic’s mission for gold is now clearer than ever.
The 2025 IMMAF European Championships continue to thrill, proving that in this hard-line arena, anything is possible. As Junior semi-finalists battle for a place in the finals and reigning champions return to defend their crowns, the stage is set for an unforgettable climax. Who will rise to claim European gold?
Watch the action continue LIVE at IMMAF.tv.
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