By João Vitor Xavier
The 2025 IMMAF Youth World Championships proved to be a tournament to remember for the Pan-American nations. Traditional powerhouses in professional MMA, Brazil and the United States, delivered strong performances, while Team Mexico exceeded expectations with a breakout campaign of their own.
Before the tournament, Ubaldo Marroquin, President of the Mexican MMA Federation, expressed his wishes for the national team to improve on last year’s Youth Worlds campaign, when they claimed a solitary Gold medal. This goal was more than met, as Mexico celebrated two world champions in 2025. Wendy Rebeca Lara Barraza successfully defended her 2024 title, while José Manuel Hernández Sandoval captured his first gold.
Team Mexico finished with a total of five medals, marking their most successful Youth World Championships to date. Alongside two golds, the team also captured one silver and two bronze medals, a tremendous achievement for one of IMMAF’s fastest-growing national federations.
The event also marked a breakthrough for Team Brazil. A nation renowned for its legends and champions in the pro scene, Brazil is now making rapid strides in the amateur ranks. No further proof is needed of the fine work being done by the Brazilian MMA Federation than that of the country earning its first-ever medals at Youth level.
Melanie Grace Francis secured gold in the Women’s Youth D 34kg category, while Lorena Martins earned Women’s Youth A Featherweight bronze. Both serve as clear signs that Brazil is emerging as a force not only in Youth competition, but also across Junior and Senior levels.
The United States also exceeded expectations, recording their best Youth Worlds campaign since 2022. Led by standout athletes such as David Daniels (gold, Men’s Youth A Lightweight) and the Mariscal sisters, Alexis (gold, Women’s Youth B 62kg) and Evelyn (bronze, Women’s Youth D 44kg), Team USA looked as strong as ever.
In total, the team earned seven gold medals, one silver, and two bronze, equaling their second-best gold medal haul in Youth Worlds history. Coached by former UFC fighter Joe Stevenson, this year’s campaign ranks as the third-best overall for Team USA and their strongest since their eight-title run in 2022.
Finally, while Trinidad and Tobago is still in search of its first Youth Worlds medal, the progress being made within the federation suggests it is only a matter of time. This year, Alyssa Adams came within one win of the podium in the Women’s Youth B 52kg division. With continued development and growing momentum, Trinidad and Tobago are poised to return even stronger next year, determined to make history for the Caribbeans.
