Pictured: IMMAF Amateur World Championships veteran Darian Weeks – photo by Jorden Curran By IMMAF.org lead writer, Jorden Curran Middleweight contender Darian Weeks (12-3) is set to represent the USA at IMMAF’s inaugural Oceania Open Championships, taking place from 16-18 March at the Arnold Sports Festival in Melbourne. In early February, Weeks qualified for the USA’s national amateur team upon advancing to the finals of the 2018 UMMAF National Championships. Laree Hutchinson claimed the Middleweight title via a TKO (injury) and qualified as UMMAF’s primary representative while Weeks remains in line to compete as an alternate. The 24-year-old returns to the national squad after representing his country for the first time at last year’s IMMAF World Championships in Bahrain; his first experience of the premier international amateur platform after winning the 2017 UMMAF national title. His debut at the World Championships left a strong impression. Weeks advanced to the quarter-finals of the Middleweight division, opening with a TKO stoppage over Kazakhstan’s Meirambek Demeubayev. Progressing to the final 16, he would grind down Finland’s formidable Jussi Pirttikangas to earn a Unanimous Decision win on the scorecards. In Melbourne, alongside UMMAF team coach Robert Hulett, Weeks could secure himself a compelling rematch on Australian soil should he once again face Aussie native Joseph Luciano, who is also in the running for the Oceania title at 185lbs, and in his own back yard. The top Australian representative is ranked number 5 in the world at Middleweight (Weeks #13) and claimed a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships, setting back the American with a Unanimous Decision triumph in the final 8. For more information on the USA national team click HERE For more information on Australia’s Oceania Open contenders click HERE For more tournament details of the IMMAF Oceania Open visit MyNextMatch.com ]]>
