By Cédric Dumas
It was a packed weekend of action for IMMAF alumni across the globe, as former amateur standouts showcased their talents on some of the sport’s biggest stages. Here’s a look back at the standout performances from our rising stars turned professionals.
One of IMMAF’s all-time greats, Muhammad Mokaev (14-0), faced Brazil’s Thomas Assis (12-3) in the main event of 971 FC 2 in Dubai. Mokaev relied on his strengths, wrestling, grappling, and relentless pressure, even while battling through adversity after injuring his foot late in the first round. He effectively neutralised Assis’s offence and secured a polished unanimous decision victory. This performance solidifies his position as one of the best flyweights in the world, as well as arguably being the top prospect to emerge from the IMMAF pathway.
On the same card, James Gallagher (13-3) demonstrated why he remains a key figure in the featherweight division, using his trademark calm and technical precision to lock in a textbook armbar against a seasoned veteran.
Elsewhere, former IMMAF Champion Axel Sola (10-0-1) successfully defended his lightweight title against veteran Ghiles Oudelha (16-8) at Ares FC 31. Fighting in front of a hometown crowd in Marseille, Sola leaned on the wrestling foundation he honed during his amateur days to dominate the five-round bout. Despite Oudelha’s size and experience advantage, Sola’s relentless top pressure left no doubt on the judges’ scorecards. The unanimous decision win extended Sola’s undefeated record and further cemented his status as one of France’s top MMA prospects.
At Oktagon 72 in Prague, Alina Dalaslan (2-0) delivered a breakout performance that firmly established her as a bantamweight to watch. The 2024 IMMAF World Champion overwhelmed seasoned striker Róża Gumienna with relentless pressure and clean, technical striking before securing a third-round TKO. In only her second professional fight, Dalaslan displayed the poise and finishing instinct typically associated with professional veterans.
Former IMMAF world champion Abdul Hussein (13-2) made a statement at UAE Warriors 59 with a dominant first-round TKO over Sami Yahia, using sharp knees and ground strikes to finish the fight in under four minutes. Fellow IMMAF alumnus Khaled Laallam (7-0), who won middleweight gold at the 2017 IMMAF World Championships, controlled his bout from start to finish, earning a clear unanimous decision over Siyaka Dumiso. Representing Zimbabwe, 2x IMMAF Africa gold medalist Lewis Mataya (2-1) delivered one of the night’s most explosive finishes, knocking out Mahmoud Abd El Raouf with a stunning combination in the opening round. On the women’s side, Lisa Zimmo (3-0) impressed with a slick first-round rear-naked choke submission over Chaymae Boudik, showcasing strong grappling instincts. Finally, Flobater Fares (1-0) remained composed and technical en route to a unanimous decision victory in his professional debut.
At the second UAE Warriors event of the week (UAE Warriors 60), Muhidin Abubakar (10-1) secured the interim flyweight title with a hard-fought split decision over Victor Nunes. Magomed Tuchalov (3-0) showcased his submission prowess with a first-round rear-naked choke, carrying forward the solid grappling foundation he built as an IMMAF competitor. Finally, Michele Oliveira (5-1) delivered a striking clinic, stopping Zulfiya Kurbashova via first-round TKO, adding to the growing list of female fighters emerging from the amateur system.
Several other IMMAF alumni were also in action this weekend:
- David Hervias (1-0) claimed a TKO debut victory at WAR 6: Alicante 2.
- At the same event, Miguel Navarro (2-0) and Nina Nikolija Milošević (6-1) both picked up statement victories.
- Najib Adams Morllah (1-1) earned Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night honours with a KO finish at AFN 10.
- Liam Pitts (2-0) was also victorious at AFN 10, maintaining his undefeated record with a solid victory against Aleksandar Antonov.
These fighters’ successes highlight the crucial role IMMAF plays in developing well-rounded athletes. By providing a structured and competitive amateur platform, IMMAF prepares prospects for the demands of professional MMA: building the skills, experience, and confidence that translate into impressive performances once they turn pro.
