By Cédric Dumas
Each week, IMMAF Alumni Watch tracks the progress of former amateur standouts as they compete on the professional stage. From title fights to debut victories, these athletes are proving that their experience in IMMAF competition continues to translate into success against seasoned opponents. Here’s who was in action this week :
At UFC Vegas 109, IMMAF alum Christian Leroy Duncan (12-2) made a statement with a stunning first-round spinning elbow knockout over Eryk Anders, showcasing the elite-level striking that marked his amateur tenure and propelling him to a significant rebound in the UFC middleweight ranks.
IMMAF alumni made a big impact at Hexagone MMA 32. Samba Sima (2-0) secured a decisive second-round TKO, building on his amateur foundation. Veteran Valentino Riva (6-3) kept his momentum alive with a third-round stoppage victory. Making an impressive professional debut, Océane Samson (1-0), who earned gold at the 2023 IMMAF World Championships, finished her opponent with a first-round TKO. Václav Žemla (4-0) demonstrated control and endurance en route to a unanimous decision win, while Mathilde Aschenbrenner (2-0) showcased her submission skills with a second-round choke, continuing her promising ascent.
At Oktagon 74, Bosnian-born Czech prospect Dominik Humburger (11-2) elevated his Gamechanger tournament run by earning a second-round stoppage victory over Mark Hulme via elbow strikes, securing his place in the semifinals. On the preliminary card, Czech rising talent Vojtěch Khol (3-0) delivered a composed performance, submitting Raphael Federico with a guillotine choke at 1:11 of the second round in his promotional debut.
WOW 21 took place in Spain on Saturday, and IMMAF alumni continued to impress on the professional stage. Hanna Palmquist (3-0), a former IMMAF world champ, sealed the win with a deep rear-naked choke late in the third round, underlining her finishing instincts. Akhmed Amaev (3-0), who captured attention during the 2022 IMMAF World Championships as a standout junior-level submission specialist, maintained his unbeaten pro streak by locking in a triangle choke in the very first round. In his own pro debut, Dara O’Sullivan (1-0) earned a hard-fought unanimous decision, setting a strong foundation for his professional journey.
At EFC 126 in Sandton, South Africa, Willie Van Rooyen (7-0), a decorated IMMAF alumnus, continued his dominance by defending his EFC Flyweight crown with a sharp rear-naked choke in the second round, a seamless transition from his previous title win at EFC 123. Zhane Tannous (2-0), the 2022 Africa Championships silver medallist, made a powerful statement with a first-round knockout via head kick and punches. Vuyo Jula (3-4), another IMMAF veteran, bounced back quickly, submitting his opponent in the very first round. Meanwhile, Veja Hinda (1-0), the 2023 Africa Championship silver medallist, marked his professional debut with a clear-cut unanimous decision win.
Batraz Sabanov (2-0), an IMMAF alumnus, extended his unbeaten run at Peak FC 46 by scoring a second-round knockout, highlighting his evolving striking prowess. Meanwhile, fellow IMMAF graduate Khetag Sabeev (1-0) notched a win in his professional debut, setting a solid foundation for his career ahead.In Germany, Bellum Fighting Championship held BFC 5 who featured some IMMAF greats. European Championship Silver medalist Marc-Philippe Ngatchou (1-1) and European Junior Champion Iwan Tagner (0-0) were booked for the event, but the results weren’t publicly available at the time of writing this text.
