By Hasan Khan
In mixed martial arts (MMA), success is a relentless pursuit, an unforgiving trial of endurance, tactical sharpness, and sheer willpower. At the 2025 IMMAF European Championships, England’s Youth athletes embodied all three, seizing their moment under the bright lights of international competition. With 39 medals, including 13 gold, they didn’t just compete; they dominated.
Team England’s rise in the IMMAF Youth ranks is no coincidence. These championships serve as a proving ground where young fighters refine their craft, clash with elite opposition, and forge the mental steel required for greatness. It’s where raw potential transforms into polished skill and where future champions take their first steps toward professional stardom. The English squad’s performance wasn’t just a display of individual brilliance; it was the result of a system built to cultivate world-class fighters, another chapter in England’s growing legacy in amateur MMA.
Guided by Head Coach Adam Ventre and team manager Wayne Kenward, the English squad arrived in Serbia with months of preparation behind them. Under the expert eyes of Tom Crosby, Tom Slinger, Michael Peel, and George Chambers, every athlete stepped into the cage with sharpened skills, rock-solid game plans, and the unshakable mindset of a champion.
In Youth C, Magomed Bulguchev put on a grappling masterclass. He flowed through chain wrestling sequences, launching explosive double-leg takedowns paired with unyielding top control. His relentless transitions left opponents drowning under pressure, proving that England’s wrestling pedigree is stronger than ever.
In Youth B, Bella Adams added another IMMAF championship to her list of accolades with a clinical blend of striking and ground control. Her high-level jiu-jitsu background was once again on show, claiming successive submission finishes en route to gold.
The squad’s depth was on full display with Ibrahim Bulguchev and Bradley McDonough, two athletes who showcased fluidity and ferocity in equal measure. Bulguchev combined upper-body throws with seamless guard passing, dictating the pace with commanding top control. Meanwhile, McDonough put on a striking masterclass, his feints setting up sharp counter-strikes before flowing effortlessly into submission attempts.
England’s success is no overnight sensation, it is the result of years of dedication to building a thriving amateur MMA scene. Thanks to IMMAF’s structured pathway, young athletes are given the opportunity to bridge the gap between grassroots competition and elite international tournaments, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent ready to take on the world.
Having brought home a total of 39 medals, Team England are no longer knocking at the door of amateur MMA’s elite; they’ve kicked it wide open. With each IMMAF event, England strengthens its grip on the international stage. The athletes who competed in Serbia weren’t just chasing medals, they were laying the foundation for the next era of English MMA. Their performances showed the world that England isn’t just producing talented fighters; it’s producing future champions.
The future has never looked brighter. With IMMAF providing the launchpad, this new generation of English athletes are set to carry the torch forward, ensuring that England remains a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
